A night of celebration turned tragic in Chicago’s River North as four lives were lost and fourteen others injured during a mass shooting outside a popular nightclub.
At a Glance
- Four people were killed and 14 others were wounded in a mass shooting in Chicago’s River North neighborhood on Wednesday night.
- The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. outside the Artis Lounge on West Chicago Avenue.
- Police say gunmen in a dark-colored vehicle opened fire on the crowd before fleeing the scene.
- No suspects are in custody, and police are appealing to the public for help.
A Night of Devastation in River North
A night of celebration turned into a scene of horror in Chicago’s vibrant River North neighborhood late Wednesday, July 2, 2025, when a drive-by shooting outside a popular nightclub left four people dead and 14 others wounded. The attack occurred around 11 p.m. as a crowd was gathered outside the Artis Lounge on the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue.
According to the Chicago Police Department, a dark-colored vehicle, possibly a black Honda Accord, drove by the location, and at least one person inside opened fire on the crowd. The vehicle then sped away, leaving a scene of devastation. Emergency services rushed the wounded to several area hospitals.
The Immediate Aftermath
The shooting sent shockwaves through the typically bustling nightlife district. “I’m traumatized; I’m just shook,” one witness told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Local anti-violence activist Pastor Donovan Price, who arrived on the scene to comfort victims’ families, described the chaotic aftermath as “the worst, the worst I’ve seen.”
An Ongoing Investigation
Area Three Detectives are leading the investigation into the mass shooting. As reported by WTTW News, police are analyzing surveillance footage from the area and are urging anyone with information to come forward. As of Thursday morning, no suspects were in custody.
The tragedy has been met with an outpouring of grief from the community. Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, who was at the club earlier in the evening, posted on social media, “Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap your arms around every last one of them.” The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile gun violence events that have plagued the city, and it has renewed urgent calls from community leaders for action to address the crisis.
Chicago-based rapper Mello Buckzz is mourning the loss of her boyfriend and 3 closest friends after they were senselessly killed during a drive-by shooting at her album release party Wednesday evening.
More details: https://t.co/FAmcpECNss pic.twitter.com/XqhEOESUCz
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 3, 2025
