Aurora, Illinois — A weekend concert at a local restaurant turned tragic when gunfire erupted, leaving two dead and one critically injured. The incident occurred Saturday night at the Two Brothers Roundhouse during a performance by the band Beyond the Blonde.
Police responded promptly to reports of shots fired at approximately 9:10 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered three individuals with gunshot wounds. A woman was later pronounced dead at an area hospital, and a man remains in critical condition, while the suspected shooter was found deceased at the scene.
Authorities indicated that all three individuals were known to one another, suggesting that the shooting may have stemmed from a domestic dispute. Witnesses recounted the chaos that ensued as concertgoers fled in fear, with some taking shelter under tables as shots rang out.
Charity Benevelli, lead singer of the performing band, expressed her shock upon returning to the venue the following morning. “The equipment, everything. My microphone was on the floor just where I left it,” she recalled, recounting the moment she realized gunfire had interrupted their performance. As she spoke to the crowd, Benevelli said, “It was hard to process that’s exactly what it was.”
Another attendee, Jill Curtin, who is also a nurse, provided assistance to one of the wounded. “Once we got out, they said the shooter killed himself, but there were wounded people inside,” she shared. Her medical instincts prompted her to rush back inside, where she helped a man who had been shot until emergency medical services arrived.
Ruby Saraf, who was nearby at the time, described a rapid shift from enjoyment to terror. “It’s a crazy feeling going from everyone is having a great time, happy, smiling, dancing, and then all of a sudden it is absolute fear,” Benevelli added. As she processes the traumatic event, she expressed uncertainty about performing again and described retrieving their equipment as an emotional task.
The historic Two Brothers Roundhouse, previously owned by Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton, announced its temporary closure in light of the tragedy. In a statement, the restaurant expressed its sorrow and emphasized its commitment to community safety. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” the statement read, also praising the rapid response of local police and emergency personnel.
The Kane County Coroner’s office is set to conduct autopsies on the deceased, whose identities have yet to be disclosed. Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas expressed condolences in a news release, stating, “Our hearts are heavy tonight. Members of our community were senselessly shot while simply trying to enjoy a night out, and our entire city feels the weight of that violence.”
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to reach out to the Aurora Police Department’s investigations division. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Aurora Area Crime Stoppers.