The female Chicago rap artist whose album release party was the scene of a mass shooting that left four people dead and fourteen others wounded earlier this month in River North, is expressing "heartbreak" on social media.
Mello Buckzz, real name Melanie Doyle, wrote on Instagram, "What was supposed to be a joyful and peaceful night ended in heartbreak."
"These weren't strangers." She wrote. "These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others."
She wrote, "What happened was senseless, and there's no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way."
We spoke to Alderman Brendan Reilly after the shooting.
"It's clear that this album release party was being promoted on social media platforms," he said, "and sadly that's one of the primary ways that rival gangs are able to target other gang members with these acts of violence.
It's literally broadcasting to the world, 'hey we're all here, come find us' and we believe that's what happened in this case."
The artist also wrote in her post, "My heart aches for the lives lost, for those who are healing from physical and emotional wounds."
Adding, "This moment is something that changed a number of us incredibly."
Here's her full Instagram post:
"Last week, I hosted a listening party in downtown Chicago for a project I've been working on for three years, my first body of work built on real blood, sweat, and tears. What was supposed to be a joyful and peaceful night ended in heartbreak. As the party was wrapping up, a mass shooting occurred, where 4 lives were taken from us, 15 others injured with the majority being women, who came out to show love and support. These weren't strangers.
These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others, and people who've been with me through this entire journey. What happened was senseless, and there's no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way.
And while we can't say for certain what was in someone's mind or what anyone's intentions were, I do know this... I carry a heavy heart knowing so many lives were affected. My heart aches for the lives lost, for those who are healing from physical and emotional wounds, and for the spaces and spirits that may never be the same again. This moment is something that changed a number of us incredibly. I will continue to honor those we lost, stand by those who are healing, and do everything I can to keep their memory alive. Please continue to pray for the families and our community as we try to make sense of everything.
With all my heart, -Mello Buckzz"
