A night of celebration turned into a nightmare for Mello Buckzz.
The rising Chicago rapper is grieving the tragic loss of her boyfriend and three of her closest friends after a deadly drive-by shooting erupted outside her album release party on Wednesday night.
Police say the shooting claimed four lives and left 14 others wounded as gunfire shattered the celebration outside Artis Lounge nightclub in the River North neighborhood.
“My heart broke into so many pieces,” Mello shared in an emotional Instagram post, mourning the devastating loss.
A Party Turned Into Chaos
According to Chicago Police, the violence unfolded just after 11 PM along the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue.
As a crowd gathered outside the club for the release of Mello’s HollyHood EP, a dark SUV drove past and opened fire, sending bullets flying into the unsuspecting crowd.
- 4 killed: Two men (ages 24 and 25) and two women (ages unconfirmed).
- 14 injured: Victims between 21–32 years old, with 4 in critical condition.
- Several were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Stroger, Northwestern Memorial, Illinois Masonic, and Mt. Sinai.
A chilling video circulating online appears to capture the moment shots rang out, with a vehicle seen passing by before gunfire erupted.
Mello Buckzz Mourns Her “Better Half” and Friends
In the hours following the shooting, Mello, 23, took to Instagram to express her grief, calling the ordeal “unreal” and paying tribute to her boyfriend and three friends:
“We lived such a private life together… I held his hand until I couldn’t anymore.”
She also honored her two female friends, known as TayyTayy and @avi_gorgeous on Instagram, sharing photos and memories of their bond.
“Prayers up for all my sisters. God, please wrap your arms around every last one of them.”
Community in Shock
Pastor Donovan Price, who comforted survivors at the scene, described the aftermath as “one of the worst I’ve ever seen.”
“There were people searching for loved ones, phones and keys scattered on the ground… It was absolute heartbreak,” he told CBS News Chicago.
This isn’t the first time tragedy has struck the block. In 2022, a mass shooting at the former Hush Lounge left one dead and three injured. That club was later shut down, and Artis Lounge opened in its place — now marred by yet another horrific event.
Police Investigation Ongoing
As of Thursday morning, no suspects have been identified or arrested. Detectives continue to investigate, combing through surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
Chicago PD confirmed they’re working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Fans and Friends Rally Around Mello
Supporters flooded Mello Buckzz’s Instagram with messages of love and strength:
❤️ “Stay strong queen. We’re praying for you and the families affected.”
💔 “This is heartbreaking… praying Chicago finds peace.”
🙏🏾 “God wrap your arms around her. No one deserves this.”
⚡ What’s Next for Mello Buckzz?
Mello’s HollyHood EP, which dropped just hours after the tragedy, was meant to mark a new chapter in her rising career. Instead, she finds herself grappling with unimaginable loss while demanding justice for her loved ones.
“Feels like everything just weighing down on me… all I can do is talk to God and pray,” she wrote to her fans.
💔 What are your thoughts?
Do you think Chicago is doing enough to address rising gun violence? Should nightclubs face stricter security measures? Drop your thoughts in the comments and keep it locked on TPR for more exclusive updates on Mello Buckzz.
