29 June 2023 , 19:40
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Rapper Travis Scott will not face charges after fans were killed during his Astroworld concert performance in 2021, his attorney told Mirror.
A grand jury was considering a criminal indictment on Thursday, but his Attorney Kent Schaffer has confirmed there will be no further action taken.
In a statement, Schaffer said: "My client Travis Scott will not be charged with criminal charges or any wrongdoing for his involvement with AstroWorld festival.
"Today’s decision by the Harris County District Attorney confirms what we have known all along - that Travis Scott is not responsible for the AstroWorld tragedy.
"This is consistent with investigative reporting by numerous media outlets and federal and state government reports that have squarely placed the onus for event safety crises on organizers, operators and contractors - not performers."
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The statement continued: "While waiting patiently for the District Attorney’s decision to not file charges, Travis Scott has been inaccurately and wrongly singled out, despite stopping the show three separate times and being unaware of the events as they were unfolding. Now that this chapter is closed, we hope for the government efforts to focus on what is most important - stopping future heartbreaking tragedies like AstroWorld from ever occurring again.
The statement comes almost 19 months after the musician was on stage at NRG Park as 10 people were crushed to death. Hundreds more were injured in the incident.
Travis Scott (WireImage)It was reported that signs of trouble in the crowd were not immediately obvious at the event in 2021. Some people were said to be shouting for help amid a crush as others were unaware of developing chaotic scenes.
Rapper Travis Scott allegedly said: "I want to see some rages, who want to rage", before attempting to calm the situation a few moments later after spotting an ambulance in the crowd.
Concert-goers said the music stopped for several seconds as Travis Scott looked toward the crowd as it was illuminated by the blue and red lights of emergency services.
Travis Scott performing at Astroworld (Getty Images)Security protocol at the concert was also being investigated after the event. There were reportedly 505 event security staff members, with 91 armed private security and 76 officers from the Houston Police Department.
Scott said afterwards it wasn't until a press conference after his set that he realised the gravity of the situation.
Speaking on radio personality Charlamagne Tha God's YouTube channel, he said: "I didn’t know the exact details until minutes before the press conference [after my set].
“And even at that moment you’re like, ‘Wait, what?’
“People pass out, things happen at concerts, but something like that…"
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The 30-year-old explained that he stopped the show a couple of times to make sure everyone was OK.