18 shot, 4 fatally, in mass shooting at River North bar in Chicago

Four people were killed and at least 14 were injured in a mass shooting Wednesday night outside a River North bar, Chicago police said.

A black car pulled up outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge, 311 W. Chicago Ave., and at least one person in the car opened fire on a crowd of people gathering around 11 p.m., police said. The restaurant is at the same location of a nightclub the city shut down over two years ago after a fatal shooting happened outside.

Wednesday night's shooting happened at the tail end of an album release party for Chicago drill rapper Mello Buckzz, a witness who was inside the bar told the Sun-Times. Handgun and rifle rounds were recovered and several shell casings were seen inside and outside the club.

Police believe the target of the attack was likely the rapper, although she had already left the venue when the shooting erupted, a law enforcement source said.

According to the source, the black Honda Accord initially circled around the front of the club to see who was there. When the car came back around, shots were fired from it before it sped away east.

A witness said he heard at least two dozen shots before several police officers rushed to the scene.

"I"m traumatized, I'm just shook," another witness told the Sun-Times.

Police said victims were taken to several nearby hospitals, including Stroger Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Illinois Masonic Hospital, police said.

A 24-year-old man was shot in the chest and a 25-year-old man was shot in head. Both were pronounced dead after they were taken to Stroger. Two women were also fatally shot in the chest and both were taken to Northwestern where they were pronounced.

Four women taken to Stroger and Mt. Sinai are in critical condition: a 31-year-old shot several times, a 24-year-old shot in the back, a 25-year-old shot in the leg and a 21-year-old shot in the face.

Ten others, ages 24 to 32, are in good condition at nearby hospitals, police said.

As the attack began to unfold, an officer came over police radio.

“We got a possible shots fired at Chicago and Wells...Chicago and Wells...possible shots fired," the officer said.

"10-4," a dispatcher replied. "We just got a ticket of a person shot...several people shot," the dispatcher said. "No offender but there's three people down."

"Drive by...shots fired from a black car last seen headed eastbound,” the dispatcher said.

“There’s a large party," the dispatcher said. "CFD is rolling."

Another mass shooting happened at the same address in 2022, when a person was killed and three injured outside the former Hush Chicago nightclub. The city shut down the club after that shooting, deeming it a "public safety threat."

The Artis Restaurant and Lounge opened in April, according to its social media pages.

Reached by phone Thursday morning, the owner of the bar, Brandi Artis, declined to comment immediately.

No arrests have been made.

Tom Schuba contributed.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.