Chicago shooting: 4 dead, 14 injured after drive-by shooting outside nightclub, police say

Chicago police at the crime scene where numerous people were wounded in a shooting at Artis Restaurant and Lounge in the River North neighbourhood during an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz in Chicago, Illinois. Photo / Getty Images

Four people are dead and 14 others hospitalised after a drive-by shooting in Chicago, police said Thursday.

The shooting occurred in the River North area about 11pm on Wednesday local time (Thursday afternoon NZ).

Police said they believe a dark-coloured vehicle drove past the location and an unknown person or people opened fire into a crowd standing outside.

The vehicle immediately left the scene.

No one was in custody, police said.

The deceased include two men aged 24 and 25 and two women whose ages were not given. Three other people are in critical condition.

The shooting happened outside a nightclub as it was closing after hosting an album release party, Chicago’s WGN9 news reported, citing a worker at the club.

The victims were taken to several hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Illinois Masonic, Stroger and Northwestern, police said.