A drive-by shooting outside a Mello Buckzz EP release party in Chicago last night (July 2) has left four people dead and 14 wounded, CBS News reports. Three people fired from a vehicle into a crowd outside the Artis Lounge nightclub, in the River North neighborhood, at about 11 p.m., Chicago police said. Two women, 26 and 27, and two men aged 24 and 25 died of gunshot wounds. Three of the wounded are in critical condition.
Mello Buckzz, who threw the party for the release of her Hollyhood EP, wrote in an Instagram Story, “Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap yo arms around every last one of them.” She added, “ngl im fucked up… feel like everything just weighing down on me… all i can do is talk to god and pray.” Another Story read, “i dont wish this typa pain on nobody 💔 dam my fucking crew.”
Sources told NBC Chicago that Mello Buckzz’s boyfriend and best friend were among those killed. Police are searching for the shooters. A nightclub at the same location, Hush Lounge, was the scene of a shooting in 2022, CBS News notes. Pitchfork has emailed Chicago police and Mello Buckzz’s management for further comment.