**\$10,000 Reward Offered After Mass Shooting in Chicago’s River North Leaves 18 Shot, 4 Dead**

$10,000 Reward Offered After Mass Shooting in Chicago’s River North Leaves 18 Shot, 4 Dead

• Date & Time: Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 11:02 p.m. CDT, tens of people were leaving an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz at Artis Restaurant and Lounge on the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue in Chicago’s River North neighborhood

• The Shooting: A dark-colored SUV pulled up and multiple assailants fired into the crowd from the vehicle. Within seconds, 18 people were shot—four fatally and 14 others injured, including at least three in critical condition

⚰️ Victims

• Fatalities (4):

  • Leon Andrew Henry, 25, and Devonte Terrell Williamson, 23 (men)

  • Aviance King, 27, and Taylor Walker, 26 (women)Injured (14): Aged between 21 and 32 — a mix of men and women. Three remained in critical condition following emergency treatment

💥 Scene & Community Impact

• Witnesses described chaotic scenes akin to a “war zone,” with bodies strewn and people screaming for help

• The venue, a Black and LGBTQ-owned Creole restaurant that opened in April, stressed that it was meant as a safe space—and that it has since been closed indefinitely by the city

• This follows a similar shooting at the same address in 2022, when it was known as Hush Lounge

👮 Law Enforcement Response

• No arrests yet. Police recovered handgun and rifle shell casings, suggesting multiple calibers and possibly multiple shooters

• Authorities believe the shooting was targeted, with victims possibly connected to Mello Buckzz’s circle Superintendent Larry Snelling and Mayor Johnson have vowed to bring perpetrators to justice and have increased police presence over the Fourth of July weekend

💰 $10,000 Reward for Information

• Cook County Crime Stoppers has announced a $10,000 cash reward for tips leading to an arrest in connection with this shooting

• How to give tips:

  • Hotline: 1‑800‑535‑STOP (7867)

  • Online: CPDTIP.com or

  • Tipsters can remain anonymous and receive a code number when their information qualifies for the reward.

🧑‍🎤 Involvement of Mello Buckzz

• Rapper Mello Buckzz confirmed that her boyfriend and best friend were among the deceased

• She posted on social media:

  “Prayers up for all my sisters… feel like everything just weighing down on me… all I can do is talk to God and pray.”

📉 Broader Context

• The shooting marked the first of several Fourth of July weekend mass shootings in Chicago, though overall gun violence has declined compared to 2024

• But its severity instantly reignited conversation around nightclub safety, retaliatory violence, and community vulnerabilities

🧭 What’s Next

1. Criminal Investigation: Forensics, surveillance footage review, and witness interviews are ongoing.

2. Public Cooperation: Authorities are urging anyone with information—photos, videos, or observations—to come forward.

3. Venue Accountability: Closure of Artis is under continued review; aldermen are pushing for stricter licensing in such zones

4. Community Healing: Local leaders and activists are mobilizing violence interruption programs to prevent retaliation and restore trust.

✅ What You Can Do

• If you were there: Check any recordings from around 11 p.m. on July 2, 2025—camera phone video, doorbell footage, etc.

• Share tips: Call Crime Stoppers, submit anonymously online, and reference the $10,000 reward.

• Stay aware: Be alert to safety bulletins, additional police statements, or local information sessions in River North.