LOGAN SQUARE — A Logan Square nightclub known for its rock acts became a hip-hop bloodbath early Wednesday morning when four people were shot inside during a show, police and witnesses said.
DJ Jay Thompson, 24, was inside the Ultra Lounge at 2169 N Milwaukee Ave. about 12:30 a.m. when police said two men got into a fight, and one started shooting.
Thompson, whose talent name is DJ JT Da Don, said it was the third time in the last seven days he has played a show in Chicago's neighborhoods and shots were fired.
Four men — ages 24, 26, 29 and 33 — were shot in total as the unidentified gunman fled out the front door, police said. The victims were taken to local hospitals in serious condition, police said.
Staff of the club could not be reached for comment.
While the lounge usually hosts bands playing metal, punk and rock music, Tuesday night's lineup featured hip-hop bands and performers.
"When you bring out talent from all over the city, you bring out crowds from all over the city and you bring out enemies from all over the city," Thompson said.
Thompson was in the main room of the club when he saw some men who had a "territorial kind of stance," he said.
"I had a feeling something was going to go down," Thompson said.
He moved to another room and said he immediately heard eight to 10 shots ring out.
"Everyone hit the floor," except for apparently Thompson. He said he knew the shooter wasn't gunning for him. "They weren't coming in my direction, so I didn't duck," Thompson said.
Another performer said he was halfway through his set on stage when shots rang out in an adjacent room.
"It sounded like a bottle busted," West Side rapper Bo Deal said. "We still kept going. We didn't know what it was until more shots went off."
The rapper posted on his Facebook this morning, "No, I wasn't shot last night! The shooting had nothing to do with us!! Outside of twisting & and getting my knee trampled, im fine!! Its crazy that n**** cant go out & have a good time without gun violence in my city!!..."
Bo Deal said he blames the club's security, and he wondered how the shooter got past the front door with a gun. Like Thompson, the rapper said he's seen similar violent episodes at shows before.
"You get used to it, which is not a good thing," Bo Deal said.
Thompson said he had played for a house party and barber shop parties on the West Side in the last week that both turned ugly when someone pulled a gun. Police weren't called in either incident, Thompson said.
"It's so common in certain neighborhoods," Thompson said. "Certain crowds, certain communities, nobody's blinking an eye."
"After last night, I need to change my career path."
