Mello Buckzz’s Father Hit With Federal Gun Charges In Wake Of Deadly Shooting
In a devastating turn of events for rising Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, her father, Melvin Doyle, was arrested on federal gun charges just days after a deadly mass shooting at her album release party claimed four lives and left over a dozen others injured.
According to No Jumper, Doyle was arraigned on federal firearm charges after authorities alleged he illegally sold 13 guns to confidential informants working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) since May.
Doyle, who has a lengthy criminal history, was previously convicted of attempted murder in 1998. He was also convicted in 2003 for the manufacture and delivery of controlled substances and again in 2006 for the manufacture and delivery of heroin.
Inside a federal courtroom similar to the room where the Sean Combs sex trafficking trial is being held in Federal District Court in Manhattan on June 6, 2025 in New York City.
Jefferson Siegel-Pool/Getty Imaged
Now, he faces a federal indictment for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The arrest came in the immediate aftermath of a horrific drive-by shooting at Artis Restaurant and Lounge in River North, where Mello Buckzz was hosting the release party for her latest project, HollyHOOD The Mixtape, on Thursday (July 3).
The attack left four people dead, including her boyfriend, Devonte Williamson, and her best friend. Fourteen others between the ages of 21 and 32 were seriously wounded, with several listed in critical condition.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Image depicts graphic content) Chicago police work the crime scene where numerous people were wounded in a shooting at Artis Restaurant and Lounge at 311 W. Chicago Ave. in the River North neighborhood during an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz in Chicago, Illinois, United States on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Preliminary reports indicate that 16 people were injured and 3 people were pronounced dead from the mass shooting. Bloodied shoes, medical debris and large pools of blood were seen at the crime scene.
Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images
Buckzz took to social media in the wake of the tragedy to mourn the loss of her loved ones. “We was having so much fun in our private little life,” she wrote in a tribute to Williamson.
“Couldnt leave each other alone glued to my hip everyday its not a night we aint spend together. I’m so f**king angry u was woke i held yo hand until i couldnt u talked to me clearly ion get it boo im f**ked up.”
Despite the grim timing, no connection has been found between Doyle’s alleged gun trafficking and the mass shooting at his daughter’s event. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing
Mello Buckzz performs with Latto at the Sahara Tent during the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2023 in Indio, California.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella
