Chicago mass shooting: 4 dead, 14 wounded in River North

CHICAGO - A mass shooting in River North left four people dead and 14 others wounded Wednesday night.

The shooting took place around 11 p.m. outside the Artis Restaurant & Lounge, 311 W. Chicago Ave., after a listening party for local rapper Mello Buckzz.

Chicago police said a dark-colored vehicle drove past the location and shots were fired into a large crowd that was standing outside.

The vehicle immediately fled the scene.

Chicago mass shooting victims

What we know:

Two men, 23 and 25, and two women, 26 and 27, were killed in the shooting. 

The two men killed in the shooting were identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as 25-year-old Leon Andrew Henry and 23-year-old Devonte Terrell Williamson, both of Chicago. 

The two women killed were identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Taylor Walker, 26, and Aviance King, 27, both of Chicago.

Walker, a hairstylist from the South Side, was attending the listening party before the shooting, according to family.

Fourteen others in their 20s and 30s suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to local hospitals. They were as follows:

• A 29-year-old man was shot in the forearm and is listed in good condition at Illinois Masonic Hospital.
• A 27-year-old woman was shot in the foot and is listed in good condition at Illinois Masonic Hospital.
• A 31-year-old woman was shot several times and is listed in serious condition at Mt Sinai Hospital.
• A 30-year-old woman was shot in the hand and is listed in good condition at Mt Sinai Hospital.
• A 24-year-old woman sustained was shot in the back and is listed in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
• A 25-year-old woman was shot in the leg and is listed in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
• A 21-year-old woman was shot in the mouth and is listed in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
• A 24-year-old woman was shot in the arm and is listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 25-year-old woman was shot in the thigh and is listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 25-year-old man was shot in the hand and thigh and is listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 32-year-old woman was shot in the thigh and is listed in fair condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 31-year-old woman was shot in the knee and listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 29-year-old man was shot in the thigh and is listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
• A 29-year-old woman was shot in the shin and is listed in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.

Thirteen of the 18 victims were women. 

Police said no arrests have been made. It was not immediately clear how many people fired shots. 

"Deplorable and cowardly"

What they're saying:

Chicago officials held a news conference Thursday afternoon to condemn the mass shooting and lay out safety preparations for Fourth of July celebrations.

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling called the shooting "deplorable and cowardly" and praised the efforts of first responders.

"When you have a mass shooting like this, it's always a brutal thing. The first thing I have to do is talk about the response and the response of our officers to that scene that you can only imagine the level of chaos, rendering lifesaving aid to those who are also injured. Getting people to hospitals as quickly as possible," Snelling said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called for witnesses with information to come forward.

"Shooting into a crowd of people is the not the best of who we are as a city. It's unacceptable and we will not stand for that in the city of Chicago. We are frustrated but we are also grieving. We will not rest until there is full accountability," Johnson said.

Snelling said Artis Restaurant & Lounge has been closed pending the result of the investigation. He said the album listening party was not on the department's radar because it was a private event.

Snelling said the restaurant was targeted but did not go into specifics. He said a rifle was possibly used in the shooting and that two different calibers of shell casings were recovered from the scene.

Police have not determined how many suspects they believe were involved.

Artis Restaurant & Lounge reacts

Reaction:

Artis Restaurant & Lounge opened in River North this April. The restaurant released a statement Thursday morning on social media, saying they are cooperating with police:

"Last night, an act of violence occurred within the vicinity of our restaurant— and it shook us deeply.

"Artis was created as a safe space. A space where Black, Brown, Queer, and allied communities could gather, be celebrated, and feel at home in River North. We've always led with that mission. And what happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way.

"Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones.

"We are working closely with authorities and taking steps to ensure the continued safety of our community. This moment is painful — but it only strengthens our commitment to holding space for those who need it most."

Alderman calls for Artis to be shutdown

The other side:

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) said there was a similar shooting at Hush, a former nightclub that was located at the same address prior to it being shut down by the city.

Reilly said the nightclub surrendered its late-hour liquor license and closed. He is now calling for the same actions against Artis to be taken by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

"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 said in a statement. "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.’"

"Worst I've seen"

What they're saying:

Pastor Donovan Price was at the scene minutes after the shooting. 

"It was the worst I've seen. Just people wanting to find their other people, find who was alive, finding where their phones were because they dropped them in the chaos," Price said. "It's something you wouldn't expect to find in the city. We have a lot of shootings but none like this." 

Justin Peters from Chitown Crime Chasers called on people with information on the shooting to step up. 

"Obviously, this is not just taking place on the South and West sides in Black and brown communities, this is happening all over, including downtown and on the North Side. It's going to take all of us to save us," Peters said.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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