A man who attended the Astroworld festival has sued Travis Scott and Drake for a million dollars, claiming the rappers “incited the crowd” that left him “severely injured” and eight others dead.
Kristian Paredes filed the complaint accusing the rappers, Live Nation Entertainment Inc., and Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation of negligence. According to the complaint, special guest Drake “came on stage alongside Travis Scott and helped incite the crowd”.
Kristian Paredes accuses Drake of continuing to perform with Travis Scott “as the crowd became out of control” and “while the crowd mayhem continued”. He is now seeking over 1million dollars for his bodily injuries, some of which he claims are permanent, as well as to cover medical expenses.
Paredes in the lawsuit disclosed that he was at the front of the general admission section, with just a metal barrier separating him from the VIP Section. According to him, he felt an “immediate push” as the countdown to Travis Scott’s performance ended.
“The crowd became chaotic and a stampede began leaving eight dead and dozens including Kristian Paredes severely injured” the filing states. “Many begged security guards hired by Live Nation Entertainment for help but were ignored”.
Paredes noted in the lawsuit that the injuries and deaths are due to the “negligence, carelessness and recklessness” of the “defendants, their agents, servants, and employees, in the ownership, management, maintenance, operation, supervision, and the control of the subject premises”. He is currently seeking a trial by jury.
Attorney Thomas J. Henry, who is representing Paredes, speaking on the issue stated that there is no excuse for the events that unfolded at NRG Stadium on Friday night.
Attorney Henry claimed that there is every indication that the performers and organizers were not only aware of the hectic crowd but also that injuries and potential deaths may have occurred. However, they decided to put profits over their attendees and allowed the deadly show to go on.
The attorney further stated that “live musical performances are meant to inspire catharsis, not tragedy”. According to him, many of these concert-goers were looking forward to this event for months, and they deserved a safe environment to have fun and enjoy the evening. Instead, their night was one of fear, injury, and death.
It is worth noting that this isn’t the first time such tragedies have happened at a Travis Scott concert. In fact, if Travis Scott’s concerts are popular, then it is best known for ending in tragedy. Travis Scott has been convicted twice for encouraging fans to jump security barriers and rush the stage at previous concerts.
A fan, Kyle Green who was paralyzed after falling from a balcony during a Scott concert in 2017 backlashed the singer for putting fans’ safety at risk.
Kyle Green, a 27-year-old who was injured at Scott’s April 2017 concert at Terminal 5 in New York City, noted that he was “devastated and heartbroken” for the families of the eight people who died at Scott’s concert.
Green said he was forced over the edge of a balcony at the venue, which he described as “severely crowded”. He broke several bones and vertebrae and can only walk with a “significant disability”
At the 2017 show, Scott encouraged another fan to jump off the balcony.
“I see you, but are you gonna do it? They gonna catch you. Don’t be scared. Don’t be scared!”, Scott was heard saying.
Green sued Scott, his manager, concert promoter Bowery Presents and a security company six months after the incident while he was still confined to a wheelchair. The case is pending.
In August 2015, Travis Scott, who is dating Kylie Jenner, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct after his fans jumped a security barricade at a festival in Chicago.
The Office of Emergency Management said at the time that the performer played one song and then began telling fans to come over the barricades. He was heard saying: “All my real ‘ragers’ jump the barricade right now. Let’s go. Come over, I want chaos”. However, due to the security’s quick response, the situation was remedied immediately and no fans were injured. The performer fled the scene but was arrested shortly after, according to reports.
In February 2018, he pleaded guilty to another misdemeanor charge, this one for disorderly conduct, after he encouraged his fans to rush the stage and bypass security at a May 2017 concert at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion. Scott paid 7,500 dollars fine, according to reports.
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