Travis Scott could be charged with deaths in Astroworld

A Texas grand jury will convene Thursday to weigh possible criminal charges against rapper Travis Scott and others over a 2021 crowd pleaser at a music festival that left 10 dead and thousands injured, Scott’s attorney confirmed.

Attorney Kent Schaffer said it was unclear whether the Houston grand jury would reach a decision Thursday. The criminal investigation includes Scott and several others involved in the planning of his Astroworld Festival in November 2021.

“Nothing that Travis did or failed to do falls within the Texas Penal Code,” Schaffer told Reuters.

The Harris County district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Prosecutors will present evidence to grand jurors and ask them if there are probable grounds to support criminal charges. The proceedings do not necessarily mean that charges will be filed.

The probe stems from a deadly wave of fans at Astroworld in Houston, where thousands were injured as the overcapacity crowd pushed forward as Scott took the stage. Ten people were killed by compressive asphyxia, including a 10-year-old boy.

The tragedy unleashed a wave of lawsuits against Scott and the festival’s organizers, including entertainment giant Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster in 2010.

Prosecutors allege that Scott, Live Nation and more than two dozen other defendants let too many people into the venue despite knowing the risks because they wanted the concert to appear full.

At least 4,900 fans were injured, according to lawyers representing victims in lawsuits against Scott and the organizers.

The cases have been consolidated in Texas state court in a process known as multidistrict litigation, which streamlines the adjudication of similar lawsuits.

The family of one of the people killed settled on undisclosed terms with Scott, Live Nation and others in October 2022.

Other lawsuits are pending, including one brought by the family of the 10-year-old boy who was killed.

Attorney Robert Hilliard, who represents that family, said in a statement Thursday that “both criminal and civil accountability are critical to ensuring that those responsible for the loss of innocent lives understand the permanent devastation they have wrought on these families.” .”

(Reporting by Jack Queen and Mike Spector in New York; editing by Amy Stevens and Lisa Shumaker)