What should have been a night of celebration for Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. On July 3rd, gunfire erupted outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in the city’s River North area during a listening event for her latest release, HollyHOOD The Mixtape. The violence left four people dead and 14 others wounded, shaking the local community to its core.
Nearly two weeks later, on July 15th, Mello broke her silence with a raw, emotional message shared on Instagram.
“These Were People I Love”
In her statement, the rising star expressed her grief and solidarity with those impacted.
“These weren’t strangers,” she wrote. “These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others, and people who’ve been with me through this entire journey.”
Mello described the attack as “senseless” and called for healing in a community already struggling with rising gun violence.
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“There’s no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way,” she added.
Details of the Shooting
The incident unfolded just after 11 p.m., when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up outside the venue and opened fire on attendees gathered outside.
Police believe there were multiple shooters involved, citing shell casings from at least two different firearms recovered at the scene.
The victims included:
- Two men, aged 23 and 25
- Two women, aged 26 and 27
No arrests have been made as of July 16, and investigators are urging witnesses to come forward with any information.
City Officials Respond
In the wake of the tragedy, Chicago authorities have temporarily shut down Artis Restaurant as investigations continue.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling condemned the shooting as “cowardly,” while Mayor Brandon Johnson called on residents to help bring those responsible to justice.
“We can’t let these acts of violence define our city,” Johnson said in a press conference. “Anyone with information—speak out.”
Some city officials are now pushing to permanently revoke the venue’s license, arguing the location failed to provide adequate security during the event.
Mello Buckzz Vows to Honor Victims
For Mello Buckzz, the loss is personal. In her message, she promised to honor the memory of those killed and support those recovering from the attack.
“I will continue to honor those we lost, stand by those who are healing, and do everything I can to keep their memory alive,” she said.
The statement has drawn an outpouring of support from fans, peers, and community leaders, many praising her vulnerability in such a difficult moment.
A City Grieves, A Community Demands Answers
As Chicago grapples with yet another high-profile act of violence, residents are calling for action on both prevention and justice.
“This isn’t just about one artist or one party,” said community activist Tasha Green. “This is about a pattern of violence we have to break.”
Mello Buckzz, whose music often touches on her upbringing in Chicago’s tough neighborhoods, now finds herself at the center of the city’s fight against senseless bloodshed.
???? Key Takeaways:
✅ Shooting at Mello Buckzz’s listening party leaves 4 dead, 14 injured
✅ Rapper breaks silence with heartfelt Instagram post
✅ Police and city officials call for witnesses and consider shutting down venue permanently
