Multiple lawsuits have been filed against rappers Travis Scott and Drake after at least eight people were killed and dozens more injured during a crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival on Friday.
San Antonio law firm Thomas J. Henry PLLC confirmed on Twitter on Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against both Scott, whose real name is Jacques Webster, and Drake on behalf of an Austin resident who was injured Friday in the crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival.
The Austin resident, Kristian Paredes, 23, says he was “severely injured” during the incident, and accuses Scott and Drake, who was brought on stage as a surprise guest during Scott’s set, of “inciting the crowd,” according to the complaint, which was filed in Harris County and obtained by DailyMail.com Sunday.
He also accuses Drake of continuing to perform with Scott “as the crowd became out of control” and “while the crowd mayhem continued.”
Paredes is seeking over $1 million in compensation for his bodily injuries, some of which he claims are permanent. In his lawsuit, he accuses the rappers, Live Nation Entertainment Inc., and Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation of negligence.
The Epoch Times has not been able to verify the contents of the complaint.
“There is no excuse for the events that unfolded at NRG stadium on Friday night,” Texas attorney Thomas J. Henry told the Daily Mail in a statement. “There is every indication that the performers, organizers, and venue were not only aware of the hectic crowd but also that injuries and potential deaths may have occurred. Still, they decided to put profits over their attendees and allowed the deadly show to go on.”
“Live musical performances are meant to inspire catharsis, not tragedy. Many of these concert-goers were looking forward to this event for months, and they deserved a safe environment in which to have fun and enjoy the evening. Instead, their night was one of fear, injury, and death,” the attorney said.
A separate lawsuit has been filed by the family of 21-year-old victim Axel Acosta who died at Friday’s event. In a press conference on Nov. 9, the family said they’re suing Scott and Live Nation. The lawsuit is being filed by Houston-based lawyer Tony Buzbee on behalf of the family and 35 plaintiffs have joined the suit, although Buzbee said he expects more to come forward.
Buzbee also cited a 2015 disorderly conduct charge against Scott at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. Scott pleaded guilty to the charge after police accused him of trying to urge the crowd to ignore security and rush the stage, ABC7 Chicago reported.
“Axel loved rap music and he loved the lineup that was going to be playing at Astroworld, but that love and that feeling was not mutual,” Buzbee told the Houston Chronicle. “Certainly, neither Travis Scott nor his handlers, entourage, managers, agents, hangers on, promoters, organizers or sponsors cared enough about Axel to make even a minimal effort to keep him and the others at the concert safe.”
Concert goers as Travis Scott performs at the Astroworld Music Festival at NRG Park in Houston, on Nov. 5, 2021. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Travis Scott performs during the Astroworld Festival at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Nov. 9, 2019. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)
A third lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 21-year-old attendee Noah Gutierrez by Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump that accuses the event’s organizers and Scott of negligence in providing medical equipment, crowd control, safety precautions, adequate hiring, and training of staff.
Crump has also filed a lawsuit on behalf of the father of E.B., a 9-year-old child who was trampled and catastrophically injured at the festival.
“We are hearing horrific accounts of the terror and helplessness people experienced—the horror of a crushing crowd and the awful trauma of watching people die while trying unsuccessfully to save them,” Crump said in a statement to ABC News. “We will be pursuing justice for all our clients who were harmed in this tragic and preventable event.”
Kherkher Garcia, LLP has also filed a lawsuit against event organizers and rapper Scott on behalf of an attendee who “suffered serious bodily injuries when the uncontrolled crowd at the concert knocked him to the ground and trampled him.”
“We intend to hold them fully accountable by showing that this behavior will not be tolerated in our great city,” Garcia told ABC.
Further lawsuits are expected.
Following the Astroworld Festival, Scott on Nov. 6 released a statement on Twitter explaining that he was “absolutely devastated by what took place last night.”
“My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld festival. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need,” Scott wrote.
Meanwhile, Drake on Monday night posted a statement on Instagram. “I’ve spent the past few days trying to wrap my mind around this devastating tragedy. I hate resorting to this platform to express an emotion as delicate as grief but this is where I find myself. My heart is broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives and for anyone who is suffering,” he wrote. “I will continue to pray for all of them, and will be of service in any way I can. May God be with you all.”
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