Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, born Melanie Doyle, was arrested in the city earlier this month on a felony gun charge, according to a music-site report. The brief stint in custody drew fresh attention after the artist reportedly posted her own booking photo to Instagram with a caption teasing new music. At the time that initial report went live, few details had been confirmed by police or through court records.
According to MIIXTAPECHIICK, Doyle was booked on aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for allegedly carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle without a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card and was also charged with two counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. The outlet reports that officers issued citations for an obstructed front windshield and for transporting open alcohol while driving, that booking records listed no bond, showed she was released the following morning, and that the artist posted the mugshot with the caption “pretty opp next week,” promoting a project the post says is due June 26.
We were unable to independently verify the Instagram post or the booking photo from public social media accounts at the time of publication. Mainstream outlets and a search of public court and jail listings did not immediately turn up an official, contemporaneous booking entry.
What Happened at the River North Release Party
Doyle’s public profile was reshaped by a July 2025 album-release party that ended in a drive-by attack outside a River North venue, an incident that left four people dead and 14 wounded. Local TV coverage by ABC7 reported on the victims and described investigators treating the attack as a targeted drive-by while people were leaving the event. That tragedy has kept scrutiny on Doyle and on the safety of crowded nightlife spaces in the city.
Legal Context
Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon is set out in Illinois criminal law (see 720 ILCS 5) and can be charged when a loaded firearm is carried in a vehicle without the proper FOID card or under other aggravating circumstances. Depending on the facts, the statute can elevate the offense to a felony. Resisting or obstructing a peace officer is addressed elsewhere in state law and covers knowingly interfering with an officer’s duties. Convictions on either count can bring jail time, fines, and collateral consequences such as limits on employment and travel.
What We Could Verify
The account in this story is based on the music-site’s reporting and associated booking screenshots. As of this posting, Chicago Police Department press releases and mainstream news outlets had not independently confirmed the arrest, and a public search of Cook County court and jail listings did not immediately return a matching booking entry. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online custody locator for public records, and court dockets remain the authoritative source for official filings.
We will continue to monitor official booking records and any statements from law enforcement and will update this story if authorities confirm the charges or release additional details.
