The alderman who represents much of River North is pulling no punches after 18 people were shot outside a “lounge” in the neighborhood late Wednesday, saying the owners of the venue were “dishonest with the city” about their plans for the storefront, which was the site of another mass shooting in 2022.
Four people died in the drive-by shooting that targeted a crowd gathered outside Artis Lounge, 311 West Chicago Avenue, after a BYOB record release party by rap artist Mello Buckzz. Shell casings from three different calibers were found at the scene, an indication that at least three people were probably firing shots, according to an internal CPD bulletin obtained by CWBChicago.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the slain victims as Leon Andrew Henry, 25, Aviance King, 27, Taylor Walker, 26, and Devonte Williamson, 23.
Mello Buckzz, the rapper, claimed on social media that one of the slain men was her boyfriend, writing, “I dont wish this typa pain on nobody… dam my fucking crew…. I’m so so sooo sorry”
Elsewhere on social media, though, her Facebook page openly refers to a street gang faction known as No Limit Muskegon Boys. CWBChicago reported this morning that an internal Chicago police document said investigators believed the motive was “possibly gang related.”
A nearby surveillance camera captured video and audio of the shooting (discretion advised).
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads investigators to the responsible parties. Tips can be provided anonymously at 1-800-535-STOP or at CPDTIP.com
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said he issued a summary closure notice that will keep Artis Lounge closed until a full review of its operations is complete.
The business opened just a few weeks ago, with its owners promoting it as a “safe space” and “proudly Black-, Brown-, Queer-, and Women-owned. In a statement posted on Instagram, lounge management said “an act of violence occurred within the vicinity of our restaurant— and it shook us deeply.”
“This moment is painful,” the outlet’s statement said, “but it only strengthens our commitment to holding space for those who need it most.”
Artis’ management may be getting ahead of itself because local Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) wants them to close permanently, and he is publicly claiming that they misled the city about their true intentions for the space.
“Despite early assurances from the new restaurant owner that this venue would support local artisans, foster inclusivity, and serve as a hub for connection, creativity, and joy – the owners decided to turn over their venue to promote a new rap album release,” Reilly wrote in a statement distributed to his constituents.
In 2022, the space occupied by Artis operated under different ownership as Hush nightclub. Its run ended when the city forced it to close in the wake of a mass shooting that left three injured and one dead in November 2022.
Artis is the second business to occupy the space, which also sat vacant for extended periods, since Hush folded.
“This terrible, tragic incident is just the latest reminder that we need real reforms to our liquor licensing process and regulations to finally address this longstanding gap in city code that puts our neighborhoods at risk,” the alderman added.
Here is Reilly’s complete letter about the shooting and Artis’ operations:
Dear Neighbor:
I am deeply disturbed by the mass shooting that occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday night outside 311 W. Chicago Avenue, which resulted in 18 people shot and four fatalities.
According to preliminary reports, the incident followed a private party hosted at Artis, a recently opened BYOB “restaurant” operating out of the former Hush Lounge space.
Following a similar shooting incident at the former late hour nightclub Hush (at this location) my office and the Chicago Police Department insisted on a summary closure and license revocation. After summary closure was issued, Hush surrendered their late-hour liquor license and closed.
Because there is a moratorium on late-hour liquor licenses that I imposed in the 42nd Ward – a new nightclub could never be licensed or operated at this location.
Video footage and witness accounts confirm that as guests were leaving the venue, a vehicle drove by and opened fire. The Chicago Police Department is actively investigating this horrific act of violence.
Given the serious public safety concerns and clear mismanagement of this event, I am calling on the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to revoke this business license immediately and pursue permanent closure of the establishment.
Despite early assurances from the new restaurant owner that this venue would support local artisans, foster inclusivity, and serve as a hub for connection, creativity, and joy – the owners decided to turn over their venue to promote a new rap album release.
It is clear the new operators were dishonest with the City about their plans for the venue and have now contributed to a devastating act of violence – just weeks after opening as a BYOB “restaurant.”
The Chicago Police Department and my office will be petitioning the Liquor Commissioner and BACP to deny a restaurant license to this operator; institute an immediate summary closure; and ensure this venue never re-opens.
For years, Alderman Waguespack and I have been trying to pass an ordinance that would license and regulate nightclub promoters and the events they host. Countless mass shootings have occurred at clubs that use promoters to bring large crowds to local venues – with the club owners simply handing the keys to the promoters to do as they wish. That is irresponsible and wrong.
This terrible, tragic incident is just the latest reminder that we need real reforms to our liquor licensing process and regulations to finally address this longstanding gap in city code that puts our neighborhoods at risk.
We will continue to work closely with CPD, BACP and the Department of Law to use every enforcement tool available to ensure this business never reopens.
We are praying for the victims and their loved ones as this investigation continues.
Sincerely,
Brendan Reilly
Alderman, 42nd Ward
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