A mass shooting outside a club in Chicago’s busy River North neighborhood overnight has left at least four people killed and 14 others injured, police said, with several victims hospitalized in critical condition.
The deadly drive-by shooting occurred about 11 p.m. Wednesday outside Artis Lounge nightclub, in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue, as a crowd gathered after the album release party for Rapper Mello Buckzz, sources told NBC Chicago.
According to police, a dark-colored vehicle drove past the location, with at least one person inside the car opening fire into the crowd of people standing outside.
The vehicle immediately fled the scene, police said.
Multiple people in their 20s and 30s were struck by gunfire, according to officials. All of them were transported to nearby hospitals.
Four people succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead, police said, including a 24-year-old man who was shot in the chest, and a 25-year-old man who was shot in the head. Two adult women — a 26-year-old and a 27-year-old — both sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and were later pronounced dead, police added.
Sources told NBC Chicago the boyfriend and best friend of rapper Mello were among those who died.
Three others were last listed in critical condition, police said, including a 21-year-old woman who was shot in the mouth; a 24-year-old woman who was shot in the leg; and a 24-year-old woman who was shot in the back.
Two were listed in fair and serious condition: a 32-year-old woman who was shot in the thigh, and a 31-year-old woman who was shot multiple times throughout her body.
Eight of those shot were last listed in good condition, including a 29-year-old woman who was shot in the shin; a 29-year-old man who was shot in the thigh; a 31-year-old woman who was shot in the knee; a 25-year-old man who was shot in the hand and thigh; a 25-year-old woman who was shot in the thigh; a 30-year-old woman shot in the hand; a 29-year-old man who was shot in the forearm; and a 27-year-old woman who was shot in the foot.
Photos and video from the chaotic scene Wednesday night showed a large police and fire department presence outside the club, with multiple officers and paramedics near the front entrance. Several police cars were blocking off streets, and first responders could be seen rushing victims into ambulances.
In the immediate aftermath, debris could be seen on the sidewalk and the street outside the club with clothing and shoes strewn about. Early Thursday morning, a rolled-up red carpet was on the sidewalk, alongside an event poster.
Outside hospitals where victims were being treated, emotional family and friends could be seen waiting.
No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating.
Hush Chicago, the former nightclub in Artis’ current location at 311 W. Chicago Ave. was shut down in 2022 after a shooting, with the Chicago Police Department deeming the club a “public safety threat.“
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
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