CHICAGO — The vibrant and lively atmosphere of a bustling Chicago district renowned for its eateries and nightlife was shattered when gunshots were fired at a crowd from a vehicle late Wednesday, leaving four people dead.
The sudden outburst of violence took place near a restaurant hosting an album release event for local rapper Mello Buckzz. Witnesses recounted scenes of chaos as attendees at the party dropped to the ground or cried out in fear as the shots erupted.
Describing the aftermath, Chicago pastor Donovan Price, known for assisting those in crises, likened it to a “war zone,” with pandemonium as people frantically searched for their friends and phones amid the tragic scene.
At a Thursday news conference, Larry Snelling, the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, condemned the act as “cowardly.” He clarified that the attack targeted a specific venue that was rented for a particular event.
“In mere seconds, 18 individuals were shot, resulting in four deaths,” he remarked. Following the incident, the driver escaped and, as of now, no arrests have been made. Authorities are appealing for anonymous tips from the public to aid in suspect identification.
The shooting involved 13 women and five men, between the ages of 21 to 32. Among those killed were two men and two women. The inquiry is ongoing, with police seeking to uncover a motive and the venue remaining closed as investigations proceed. Authorities have identified two distinct calibers from shell casings and are reviewing video evidence.
Snelling believes the attack was targeted, saying, “Clearly, there was some target in some way. This wasn’t some random shooting.”
The victims who lost their lives have been named as Leon Andrew Henry, 25; Devonte Terrell Williamson, 23; Taylor Walker, 26; and Aviance King, 27. At least three individuals sustained critical injuries and were hospitalized.
Pastor Price spoke with attendees outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge, situated in the River North area, who revealed they had been at the rapper’s album release gathering. Videos shared online depicted the setting’s celebratory ambiance, with a red carpet and guests mingling within the venue.
Come Thursday afternoon, remnants of the tragedy, including splattered blood and scattered personal items, remained outside the establishment.
The Creole restaurant, both Black and LGBTQ-owned, inaugurated in April as a sanctuary for Black, Brown, Queer, and allied individuals, expressed on Instagram the profound disruption caused by the event. Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the venue’s role as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.
Mello Buckzz, a prominent rapper hailing from Chicago’s East Side with a significant female audience, was at the venue for her album release celebration. Expressing her devastation and anger, she requested prayers through her social media accounts, saying, “My heart broke into so many pieces.”
Videos captured the emotional toll outside hospitals, with people waiting and weeping, while imagery of considerable police and emergency response presence highlighted the seriousness of the shooting.
Pastor Price reflected on the shooting’s tragic backdrop of a community spot aimed at fostering positivity, shortly following Pride month festivities citywide.
“People need places like that now,” he remarked. “It’s a rough world.”
This recent tragedy evokes memories of a 2012 shooting at the same location that resulted in a fatality and three wounded, ultimately causing the former bar, Hush, to close its doors.
The timing of the incident, just before the Fourth of July weekend, is concerning as the holiday typically correlates with a spike in gun violence in Chicago and other large cities, notwithstanding a general downward trend in such incidents in recent years.
Last year’s holiday weekend saw over 100 individuals shot within the city, 19 of whom suffered fatal injuries.
Mayor Johnson, addressing the city on Thursday, acknowledged the challenges posed by the recent violence but reinforced the city’s resilience, stating that coordinated efforts with law enforcement are in place to mitigate potential violence over the holiday weekend.
“Our city cannot be defined by this incident, and it doesn’t define us,” Johnson affirmed.