One hurt in shooting at unlicensed Cahokia Heights nightclub

Chad Mira

Fri, December 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM UTC

2 min read

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – A Christmas night party at a Cahokia Heights event space turned chaotic early Friday after gunfire erupted inside the crowded venue, injuring one person and prompting a broader police investigation into the location’s operations.

Local rapper NBE Hang was performing on stage at Club VIP when shots were fired just before 2 a.m.

“Like 10 seconds into the song, they got to shooting,” Hang said. “Then everybody got low to the ground. Like everybody.”

Cahokia Heights police said one person was struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital. The victim is expected to survive. Investigators said they have identified a person of interest in the shooting.

Retailers and restaurants that have already announced closures for 2026

Police are also investigating whether the venue was operating illegally. Chief Thomas Trice said the business is not licensed to operate as a nightclub in the city.

“That club is not licensed in this city to be a club,” Trice said. “We’re going to be addressing that issue. That’s part of this investigation.”

Partygoers told FOX 2 that the location is typically used as a rentable event space. A relative of the building’s owner confirmed the property on Bond Avenue is rented out, but attempts to reach the renter were unsuccessful.

Trice said unsanctioned events have become a growing concern in Cahokia Heights, particularly in recent weeks.

“In these events, especially in the last four weeks here in the city, there’s been several arrests made in each one of them, and we’re going to continue to make arrests,” he said.

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According to police, the venue was overcrowded and drew attendees from outside the city. Officers made multiple arrests unrelated to the shooting. Trice said the city is taking a strict stance moving forward.

“There’s zero tolerance right now in the city,” he said.

Hang estimated around 200 people were inside the venue at the time of the shooting and said he heard nearly 15 shots.

“It’s devastating to see something like that going on when you’re trying to do something positive for the city,” he said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.

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