CHICAGO (WLS) — Those killed in a mass shooting outside a River North restaurant Wednesday night included a hairstylist and a health care worker.
Devastated families have been gathering outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital Thursday, learning their loved ones didn’t make it.
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Eighteen individuals were shot, including at least four who were killed, shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday in the 300-block of West Chicago Avenue, located in front of the Artis Restaurant and Lounge.
Police said a dark-colored vehicle drove past, and shots were fired into a crowd of people. The vehicle then drove away.
Rapper Mello Buckzz was hosting a mixtape release party inside that restaurant and lounge at the time.
“I’ve already buried two children, and I’m not prepared to lose my daughter,” said Sharonda Booth, whose daughter, Taylor Walker, 26, was tragically killed. She pleaded, “I just ask God to ensure my baby is safe. My daughter is 26 and has never experienced violence like this.”
Walker was a hairstylist from the South Side.
Booth added, “My girlfriend was also shot. She informed me that she was placed in one ambulance and then transferred to another. She mentioned they were moving her here. Many people were gathered around trying to locate their loved ones, as they were either at Cook County or Stroger.”
Chicago Police Director of Community Policing Glen Brooks was at Northwestern Hospital, comforting family members Thursday morning.
Other victims were taken to Mt. Sinai, Illinois Masonic and Stroger hospitals.
That’s where Kelvin White’s niece, 27-year-old Aviance Drexler, was treated before she, too, died from her injuries.
“You can’t make this up; you couldn’t script this. I just saw her last night before the party. She was all dressed up, smiling, happy, excited, and now here we are today, this morning. It’s devastating,” Kelvin White said.
King was married, and worked in health care, her uncle said.
Her sister was also injured at the launch party shooting and is still being treated at Stroger.
“This was a group of females that, for whatever reason, were targeted, and they were doing nothing but just trying to enjoy themselves,” Kelvin White said.
Both of those victims were friends with Buckzz, and were there supporting her Wednesday night at the mixtape release party before the deadly shooting.
Two men, ages 24 and 25, were also taken to Stroger Hospital, where they died, police said.
They have not yet been identified.
Three other victims were taken to hospitals in critical condition and another is in serious condition, police said.
Ten others were taken to hospitals in good to fair condition.
Those shot are in their 20s and 30s.
No one is in custody, and a motive is not yet known.
Police are still investigating, but a source told ABC7 Chicago investigators believe multiple shooters were involved.
This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.
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