The music was loud, the crowd was growing, and people were pulling out their phones to capture the moment. What was meant to be a night celebrating the legacy of a late rapper quickly spiraled into something no one expected.

Then came the sound that changed everything.

At first, some people thought it might have been fireworks. The street was full of excitement, after all. But the mood shifted in seconds when people began running in different directions and shouting warnings to others nearby.

Witnesses described a wave of confusion sweeping through the crowd as the opening-night celebration outside the restaurant suddenly turned into a scene of panic.

“Everyone just started sprinting,” one attendee wrote online afterward. “Nobody knew what was happening — only that something was wrong.”

Police cars and emergency vehicles arrived within minutes, lights flashing across nearby storefronts as officers tried to lock down the area. Yellow crime-scene tape stretched across the street while investigators moved through groups of shaken guests asking what they saw.

Authorities later confirmed multiple people were injured in the shooting. Some were treated on the sidewalk while others were transported to nearby hospitals. Officials have not yet released full details about the victims.

The restaurant opening had drawn large crowds earlier in the evening. Fans viewed the business as more than a new place to eat — it was meant to honor the life and legacy of a musician whose influence still resonates across the community.

That made the sudden violence feel even more surreal.

Several witnesses told local reporters they remembered hearing arguments nearby earlier in the night, though investigators have not confirmed whether any confrontation led to the gunfire. Detectives are now reviewing security footage from nearby businesses and analyzing videos taken by people in the crowd.