Travis Scott will not face criminal charges over Astroworld crowd stampede

Rapper Travis Scott has not been charged by the grand jury in Texas for a fatal stampede at the Astroworld music festival which happened almost two years ago.

In a criminal investigation against Scott and others engaged in the concert’s planning, which resulted in 10 fatalities, the jury convened on Thursday.

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The judgment, according to Scott’s attorney Kent Schaffer, is “a great relief” for his client.
The rapper is still facing numerous civil lawsuits related to the Houston performance.

In 2018, Scott, one of the most well-known figures in rap music, co-founded Astroworld with concert promoters Live Nation.
At the 5 November 2021 event, panic broke out as the overflow audience crowded in front of the stage for Scott’s headlining performance. Thousands of people were hurt.

Compressive asphyxiation claimed the lives of ten persons, ages nine to 27.
The rapper said that he was “distraught” by the tragedy but that he was unaware of its full scope until he exited the stage.

Critics have accused him and fellow rapper Drake of continuing to perform despite accounts of “lifeless bodies being passed through the crowd in full view of the stage”.
Houston’s fire chief had stated that Scott should have halted the show much earlier.
Federal agents as well as Houston police are looking into whether Live Nation, the festival’s promoter, and Scott themselves put in place sufficient security precautions for the occasion.

Mr. Schaffer, Scott’s attorney, confirmed in a statement that the jury convened but decided not to indict his client, adding that he was unaware of the accusations that were under consideration.

“He never encouraged people to do anything that resulted in other people being hurt.
Mr. Schaffer added; “Travis is not responsible. Bringing criminal charges against him will not ease their pain.”
Lawsuits filed by multiple victims remain active in Texas state courts.

The family of one victim settled with Scott, Live Nation and others in October 2022, although the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Robert Hilliard, the attorney representing another victim’s family, said Thursday “both criminal and civil accountability are critical to ensure that those responsible for the loss of innocent lives understand the permanent devastation they caused these families”.