Last Updated on 2 months by Ashley Michael
CHICAGO — Four people were killed and 14 others wounded in a drive-by shooting outside a Chicago nightclub late Wednesday night. The shooting happened outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in River North during an album release party.
The victims include 13 women and five men, all between ages 21 and 32. Among the four killed were two women and two men. The rapper Mello Buckzz lost his boyfriend and best friend in the attack.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling called the attack “cowardly” during a Thursday news conference. “In a matter of seconds, they were able to shoot 18 people, taking four lives,” Snelling said.
The gunman fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Police recovered evidence of two different calibers at the scene, indicating multiple firearms were used. Authorities have not disclosed how many suspects were involved.
Pastor Donovan Price witnessed the aftermath and described it as a “war zone.” He said there was “mayhem and blood and screaming and confusion as people tried to find their friends and phones.”
Police believe the shooting was targeted, not random. “Clearly, there was some target in some way,” Snelling said. “This wasn’t some random shooting.”
The venue has been closed while police investigate. Authorities are asking the public for tips to help identify those involved in the shooting.
Police are still working to determine a motive for the attack.