The deaths during the 2021 Astroworld Festival will not result in criminal charges against Travis Scott.
A Texas grand jury reportedly found the rapper not guilty in the deaths of ten people in a crowd stampede at his Houston event, as reported by NBC News. At a press conference held on Thursday (June 29), District Attorney Kim Ogg addressed the verdict.
It’s unfortunate that 10 individuals lost their lives while doing what many of us do often and without giving it a second thought: going out to enjoy an evening of music and entertainment. But not every tragedy has criminal intent, and not every death is the result of murder, as Ogg pointed out. The grand jury’s decision will not affect the numerous civil cases now being litigated.
Kent Schaffer, the performer’s attorney, also addressed the audience about the celebrity’s behavior. Schaffer said that the media had misrepresented the H-Town musician on three separate occasions and that Scott had halted performances. He said that Scott had no idea what had happened and denied responsibility.
Schaffer said, “Today’s decision by the Harris County District Attorney confirms what we have known all along—that Travis Scott is not responsible for the AstroWorld tragedy.” According to the article, “This is consistent with investigative reporting by numerous media outlets and federal and state government reports that have squarely placed the onus for event safety crises on organizers, operators, and contractors — not performers.”
According to the news source, the relatives of the victims were “disappointed” by the verdict. Attorney Robert Hilliard released a statement opposing the judgment as the family “awaits their day in court.”
“There is clear culpability and gross negligent conduct committed by these various civil defendants directly resulting in deaths and serious injury,” Hilliard said. “Ezra Blount’s family will continue to wait for their day in court, while they are upset the grand jury did not find this conduct to be illegal. Once a Harris County jury hears the incriminating evidence that led to this tragedy, they may hand down the largest verdict in Texas history.
According to reports, ten individuals were killed at the NRG Park in Houston, Texas, in November of 2021. Ezra Blount, 9, was the youngest person to lose their life as a throng of 50,000 stormed the stage. Compression asphyxia was the cause of death in every case.
Soon after the incident, Travis talked to Charlamagne Tha God about what had happened. In the end, these followers are like family, so when they go, it might feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself, he stated in the video. “The only reason you put on these shows is so that the audience has a good time,”
FAQs
Q1: Why was Travis Scott charged?
On Thursday, Travis Scott’s lawyer and prosecutors said that a Texas grand jury had decided not to prosecute the rap superstar in connection with a criminal inquiry into a deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld event. At that time, several attendees were crowded so closely they could not lift their arms or even breathe.
