The Chicago rapper whose album release party was the site of a mass shooting that left four dead and 14 wounded is sharing her reaction to the tragedy.
Mello Buckzz posted a message to followers on Facebook Tuesday, approximately two weeks after the horrific shooting outside of the Artis Restaurant and Lounge in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.
“What was supposed to be a joyful and peaceful night ended in heartbreak,” she said, in part. “These weren’t strangers. These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others, and people who’ve been with me through this entire journey. What happened was senseless, and there’s no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way.”
According to Chicago police, an album release party at the restaurant was taking place on the night of July 2 when a person drove by and fired shots into a crowd of people outside, leaving four dead and injuring 14 others.
An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, but the rapper says that both she and others who were at the scene at the time of the shooting have been profoundly changed by what occurred.
“My heart aches for the lives lost, for those who are healing from physical and emotional wounds, and for the spaces and spirits that may never be the same again,” she said. “This moment is something that changed a number of us incredibly. I will continue to honor those we lost, stand by those who are healing, and do everything I can to keep their memory alive.”
After the shooting, the venue was ordered closed by Chicago police. Multiple weapons were recovered from the scene, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest, but the suspect remains at-large.
Ald. Brendan Reilly, who represents Chicago’s 42nd Ward, which includes the area, said he doesn’t think the particular address should be considered for a liquor license ever again – given its “horrible history.”
“Their guests were targeted by a gangland shooting,” he said. That’s on them. They knew that they were hosting an album release party for a local rapper on the Southeast Side who had rivals, so shame on them.”
Hush Chicago, the former nightclub at the location 311 W. Chicago Ave., was shut down in 2022 after a shooting. Chicago police made the decision, deeming the club a “public safety threat.”
Artis, the current venue, opened earlier this year.
“About a year ago a new operator shows up, wanting to open this restaurant as a place for inclusion and to promote the arts, no mention of album release parties for rappers,” Reilly said.
Victoria Street, the current venue’s resident DJ, said she’s “saddened for the people and saddened all the way around.”
“This is a layered issue stemming from continued violence and retaliation. Honestly, this is a cycle that we’re all very used, too, by being residents in Chicago,” she said. “I think we’re all just trying to process this and figure out how we’re going to go forward as a city.”
The owner of Artis declined NBC Chicago’s request for an interview, but did issue a statement on Instagram, writing in part:
“Artis was created as a safe space. A space where Black, Queer, and allied communities could gather, be celebrated, and feel at home in River North,” the statement read. “We’ve always led with that mission. And what happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way.”
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