No criminal charges for Travis Scott over Astroworld concert casualties

A grand jury in Texas has refused to accuse rapper Travis Scott over a fatal crowd surge at the Astroworld music festival about two years back.

The jury assembled Thursday as part of a criminal investigation into Scott and others involved with planning the performance, which left ten people dead.

Texas jury declines any charges against Travis Scott:

Scott’s solicitor Kent Schaffer said the decision is “a great relief” to the rapper. Travis Scott still faces numerous civil cases arising from the Houston show.

Scott, one of the most prominent names in rap music, launched Astroworld with show promoters Live Nation in 2018.

Thousands were hurt at the 5 November 2021 show when panic broke out as the over-capacity crowd pushed towards the front of the stage during Scott’s headline concert.

Ten people, varying in age from nine to 27, were killed by compressive asphyxiation. The rapper has expressed the tragedy left him “distraught” but was clueless of its extent till coming off stage. 

Critics have charged him and fellow rapper Drake of continuing to perform despite reports of “lifeless bodies being passed through the crowd in full view of the stage”. Houston’s fire boss said Scott should have stopped the concert much earlier.

Both federal officers and Houston police have been probing whether Scott, festival promoter Live Nation and others executed sufficient safety standards for the event.

Scott’s lawyer, Mr Schaffer, said in a statement that the jury met but chose not to indict his client, continuing that he did not know what charges had been considered.

“He never encouraged people to do anything that resulted in others being hurt,” Mr Schaffer stated. While he felt sympathy for sufferers of the crowd surge, Mr Schaffer continued: “Travis is not responsible. Bringing criminal charges against him will not ease their pain.”