Taylor Walker, Aviance Drexler Obituary, Death – Four people were killed and 14 others injured in a mass shooting that took place late Wednesday night outside a restaurant in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The incident unfolded just after 11 p.m. in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue, in front of the Artis Restaurant and Lounge, where rapper Mello Buckzz was holding a mixtape release party.
According to police, a dark-colored vehicle drove by and someone inside opened fire on a crowd gathered outside the venue. After the shots were fired, the car fled the scene. Eighteen people were struck by gunfire, and four of them were pronounced dead.
Among the victims was 26-year-old Taylor Walker, a hairstylist from Chicago’s South Side. Her mother, Sharonda Booth, shared her heartbreak while waiting for answers outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Booth said her daughter had never experienced violence like this and described the moment she learned of the tragedy. She also mentioned that a friend of hers had been shot and transported between ambulances as emergency crews worked to respond to the chaos. Several families gathered outside multiple hospitals, including Stroger and Cook County, trying to locate their loved ones.
Another fatal victim was 27-year-old Aviance Drexler, who worked in health care. Her uncle, Kelvin White, said she had been excited and full of joy the night of the event. He had seen her just hours before the shooting. Drexler’s sister was also shot during the incident and remains hospitalized at Stroger.
“This was a group of young women who simply came out to support a friend and enjoy themselves,” said White, explaining that both Drexler and her sister were friends of the rapper hosting the party.
Two men, ages 24 and 25, also died from their injuries after being taken to Stroger Hospital, though their identities have not yet been made public.
Three more individuals are in critical condition, while another is listed as serious. The remaining victims, all in their 20s and 30s, were taken to various hospitals in stable or fair condition.
Glen Brooks, the Chicago Police Department’s Director of Community Policing, was seen at Northwestern Memorial Hospital offering support to grieving families early Thursday morning. Police officials say no suspects are currently in custody, and the motive behind the shooting is still under investigation.
A source close to the investigation told ABC7 Chicago that authorities believe multiple shooters may have been involved, although this has not been officially confirmed. Officers are continuing to gather evidence and seek leads in the case.
The community remains in shock as families mourn the sudden and violent loss of loved ones. The Artis Restaurant and Lounge, where the event was hosted, has not commented on the incident. Meanwhile, police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the details of this tragic shooting.
