Shooting Incident Prompts Closure of Blum Restaurant & Bar in River North
Blum Restaurant & Bar Closure Ignites Community Discussion on Safety and Nightlife in River North
Surveillance Video Captures Chaos Outside Blum Restaurant & Bar in River North
In a recent turn of events, the 42nd Ward Alderman Brenden Reilly’s long-standing efforts to shutter the River North nightclub, Blum Restaurant and Bar, have come to fruition. The establishment has been closed by order of the police superintendent following a disturbing shooting incident over the weekend, which left eight people injured. The entire incident was caught on surveillance video, shedding light on the ongoing safety concerns in the neighborhood.
The violent episode unfolded outside Blum Restaurant & Bar, located near Erie and Orleans, around 2:30 a.m. last Sunday. The security cameras captured the shocking scene of at least one gunman opening fire during a street brawl before calmly strolling away, as if nothing had happened.
Jared Steger, who resides nearby, recounted the terrifying ordeal, saying, “We saw people running down the street, running red lights. We noticed people were laying on the ground, and blood splatter was on the ground.”
The victims, aged between 23 and 43, were rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with four of them in critical condition. It was a grim reminder of the violence that has plagued the area.
Residents breathed a collective sigh of relief when they learned that the nightclub had been shut down. “This is a significant step towards a safer neighborhood,” remarked Steger. “Let’s hope that this time, the necessary actions are taken to permanently close its doors.”
This isn’t the first time the venue has been linked to violence. Back in 2021, when it was known as Clutch Bar and Restaurant, a bouncer was shot after refusing entry to a man. The community has long voiced its concerns about the club, which has been seen as a magnet for trouble, attracting “gangbangers, drug dealers, and gun-toting patrons,” according to Alderman Brenden Reilly.
Nicole Kaplan, another neighbor, shared her apprehensions about the nightclub: “I have a ton of concerns. I walk past it every day, and there’s always crime related to that nightclub.”
Sadly, the neighborhood has witnessed its fair share of violence recently. In June, just a few blocks away, surveillance footage captured the chilling moment when a gunman pursued and shot a man. The incident left residents understandably distressed.
Stephanie Spector, echoing the sentiments of many, said, “We should be able to walk around our neighborhood and not feel like we have to constantly check around us, and God forbid, ever be subject to violence like a shooting.”
As of now, no one is in custody in connection with the recent shooting, leaving the community eager for answers and improvements in neighborhood safety. The closure of Blum Restaurant & Bar serves as a significant step in the ongoing efforts to create a safer and more secure environment for residents and visitors alike.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
