Global News
Rapper Travis Scott is facing multiple lawsuits after eight people were killed and hundreds were injured in a crowd crush at Texas festival Astroworld.
Two separate injured attendees allege that Scott, along with surprise performer Drake, incited the crowd, and are each seeking US$1 million in damages.
Two of the concert fatalities were teenagers, aged 14 and 16, caught in the crushing surge of the crowd as Scott continued to perform, completing his set even after noticing fans were receiving medical treatment. Scott, the headline act and a hometown star who founded the Astroworld festival in 2018, later said he was unaware of the severity of the situation.
Houston city police chief Troy Finner said his department had opened a criminal investigation by homicide and narcotics detectives, following reports that somebody in the audience had been injecting people with drugs.
One security guard felt a prick on his neck, passed out, and was revived after being injected with Narcan, a drug used to treat opioid overdoses, Finner said. Several others were treated with Narcan, according to the city’s fire chief, Samuel Pena.
Harris County Judge Lina Hildago also called for an “objective, independent” investigation of the rap festival attended by 50,000 people.
“Perhaps the plans were inadequate. Perhaps the plans were good but they weren’t followed,” Hildago said. “The families of those who died, everybody affected, deserves answers.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also called for a briefing from all the parties including first responders, concert promoter Live Nation, and officials of the venue, NRG Park.
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The first lawsuit, filed by Manuel Souza — who suffered “serious bodily injuries” at the show — is seeking at least $1 million in damages from a host of defendants including Scott and Live Nation, according to a petition filed in Harris County District Court…
