Crime
4 killed, 14 wounded in mass shooting outside Chicago Artis Lounge nightclub
No arrests have been made as of Thursday.
CHICAGO, IL – At least four people were killed and 14 others wounded in a mass shooting late Wednesday night outside the Artis Lounge nightclub in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, according to Chicago police.
Authorities said the shooting occurred around 11:00 p.m. in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a dark-colored SUV drove past the venue and three occupants opened fire into a crowd gathered outside the nightclub.
The victims were reportedly leaving an album release party for local rapper Mello Buckzz at the time of the shooting.
Among the four confirmed fatalities were two men, ages 24 and 25, and two women, one of whom has been identified as Taylor Walker, also known as “Tay Tay.”
Another victim, Avi Drexler, was also confirmed deceased by friends and family. Both individuals were reportedly part of the local music and creative community.
The identities and ages of the remaining deceased victims have not yet been publicly released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Fourteen others were injured, ranging in age from 21 to 32 years old. Eight of the injured were reported to be in good condition with non-life-threatening wounds.
Among them were:
- A 29-year-old woman shot in the shin
- A 29-year-old man shot in the thigh
- A 31-year-old woman shot in the knee
- A 25-year-old man shot in the hand and thigh
- A 25-year-old woman shot in the thigh
- A 30-year-old woman shot in the hand
- A 29-year-old man shot in the forearm
- A 27-year-old woman shot in the foot
At least four additional victims were listed in serious to critical condition at area hospitals. Emergency responders and hospital staff continue to provide care for the wounded.
Rapper Mello Buckzz released a statement on social media in the wake of the tragedy, expressing sorrow and concern for those impacted:
“Prayers up for all my sisters. God please wrap your arms around every last one of them. Feel like everything just weighing down on me… all I can do is talk to God and pray.”
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and deeply traumatic. “The worst I’ve ever seen,” one individual shared. “People were frantically searching for their friends, trying to figure out who was alive. Phones and keys were dropped during the chaos — people couldn’t even call for help.”
No arrests have been made as of Thursday.
The Chicago Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to identify and apprehend the three individuals responsible for the attack.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Chicago Police or submit a tip anonymously through CPD’s tip line.
Authorities continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as they piece together the events that led to one of the city’s deadliest shootings this year.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.