In a recent development concerning the tragic 2021 Astroworld Festival incident, rapper Travis Scott and the event organizers have reached an undisclosed settlement with the family of 14-year-old John Hilgert.
According to Rolling Stone, the lawsuit, which had been initially filed against Scott and other parties involved, was withdrawn by the family earlier this year following the resolution of the matter.
However, the news of the settlement comes amidst a wave of criticism directed at Travis Scott and one of his attorneys for statements that many find to be insensitive. Scott’s remarks have drawn intense backlash, particularly from Bob Hilliard, the legal representative for the family of 9-year-old victim, Ezra Blount.
Travis Scott’s assertion that the release of the Houston Police Department’s report coincided with the launch of his new album, Utopia, raised eyebrows as he implied an ulterior motive to harm record sales. Such comments have been labeled as tone-deaf, especially considering the gravity of the preventable tragedy that resulted in loss of lives and numerous injuries.
The Astroworld Festival incident, which occurred on November 5, 2021, led to a total of ten fatalities and hundreds of injuries, prompting a thorough investigation into the events that unfolded at NRG Stadium. Following a grand jury’s decision in June not to recommend any charges in connection with the tragedy, attention has turned to a comprehensive 1,266-page police report that sheds light on the harrowing details of the incident.
The report chronicles the devastating sequence of events that unfolded during the Astroworld Festival, with victims tragically crushed amidst a crowd of around 50,000 attendees. The aftermath of the catastrophe saw over a dozen individuals hospitalized and approximately 300 others treated for injuries at the scene. The incident has underscored the importance of safety measures and event planning in large-scale gatherings.
