**18 Shot in Chicago Nightclub Drive-By; Tay Tay and Avi Drexler Among the Dead in Tragic Attack**

Chicago, IL – July 2, 2025 — A devastating act of violence rocked Chicago late Wednesday night as a drive-by shooting outside a popular River North nightclub left 18 people shot and a city once again reeling from the toll of gun violence. Among the victims whose lives were tragically cut short in the chaos were Tay Tay, a beloved local artist, and Avi Drexler, a promising young entrepreneur and community leader. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through families, neighborhoods, and a city already grappling with rising violence.

The shooting occurred around 11:50 p.m. outside the Artis Lounge on West Chicago Avenue, just as guests were exiting the venue following a well-attended album release party. According to the Chicago Police Department, an unidentified vehicle pulled up to the curb and opened fire into the crowd, unleashing a barrage of bullets before speeding away into the night.

Witnesses described the scene as harrowing and surreal, with the joyful energy of the event turning into panic and horror in a matter of seconds. Screams of confusion and cries for help rang through the air as partygoers scrambled for cover. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, providing critical aid and transporting the injured to local hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial and Stroger Hospital. As of Thursday morning, several victims remained in critical condition.

Tay Tay, a rising figure in Chicago’s music scene known for his charisma, lyrical talent, and love for his community, had been performing at the event earlier that evening. Friends say the 25-year-old artist was on the cusp of breaking through in the national spotlight. “Tay Tay was a light in the lives of so many,” said longtime friend Marcus Allen. “He had dreams bigger than this city and a heart that matched it. He made people feel seen.”

Avi Drexler, 22, was attending the event to support friends in the local music industry. A graduate of Whitney Young High School and a recent business school student, Avi had dedicated much of his free time to youth mentorship and tech accessibility initiatives. “Avi had a mind for innovation and a heart for justice,” said community leader Tanya Ruiz. “He wanted to build something lasting in Chicago — something that would lift others up. He had so much to offer.”

In the hours following the shooting, the nightclub’s sidewalk became an impromptu memorial, with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes appearing as mourners gathered to honor the victims. Online, a wave of tributes, prayers, and calls for action flooded social media as friends and strangers alike demanded answers and justice.

Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the tragedy in a press conference Thursday morning, offering condolences to the victims’ families and vowing to hold those responsible accountable. “This act of cowardly violence has shattered lives and left an indelible scar on our community,” he said. “We will not rest until those who carried out this atrocity are brought to justice.”

The Chicago Police Department has launched a full investigation, reviewing surveillance footage, collecting forensic evidence, and interviewing witnesses. Officials have not released any suspect information, but they believe the shooting may have been gang-related or targeted, though Tay Tay and Avi are not believed to have been intended targets.

The tragic event has reignited urgent conversations around public safety, gun access, and community investment. Activists and community organizers are urging both city officials and the public to address the systemic issues fueling violence in Chicago’s neighborhoods.

“This didn’t have to happen,” said Rev. Jamal Thompson, who is organizing a city-wide vigil. “We’re losing our future in the streets. Tay Tay and Avi had dreams — they were mentors, creators, changemakers. Their loss is our collective loss.”

As investigations continue, the families of the victims are leaning on one another and the wider community for strength. A joint memorial service is being discussed to honor both young men whose lives, though cut short, made an enduring impact.

In a city hardened by too many headlines of bloodshed, the names Tay Tay and Avi Drexler now stand as poignant reminders of lives brimming with hope, creativity, and love — lives that should have continued, dreams that should have been realized.

As Chicago mourns, it also searches for resolve — to remember, to heal, and to fight for a future where such tragedy is no longer commonplace.