Dec 22, 2024

First Two Settlements Reached in Deadly AstroWorld Festival

by Nadia El-Yaouti | Oct 25, 2022
A vibrant concert scene featuring flames and a colorful stage backdrop, capturing the atmosphere of a live music festival. Photo Source: Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File

The families of two people who were killed in the 2021 Astroworld Music Festival have settled with concert organizer and headliner, rapper Travis Scott.

The November 5 concert resulted in a deadly crowd surge shortly after Scott took the stage. The crowd surge killed 10 concertgoers and injured hundreds more. From the estimated 50,000 concertgoers who were in attendance, 300 victims were treated at the scene while 25 were taken to nearby hospitals. Those who died ranged in age from 9 - 27 years old, and it was later determined that they all passed due to compression asphyxia.

According to the families of 21-year-old Axel Acosta and 16-year-old Brianna Rodriguez, both parties reached a settlement with named defendants including the rapper and concert organization Live Nation. The details of both settlements have not been disclosed.

Local outlet KTRK-TV first reported on the Rodriguez family settlement that took place on July 22 according to court records. Robin Blanchette and Troy Williams, lawyers for the Rodriguez family, shared that "Brianna Rodriguez was deeply loved and is terribly missed by her parents, her entire and extended family, her friends, and by her peers at Heights High School. Brianna's memory will forever live within those whose lives she touched and through the nonprofit organization, Dancing Through Bri, which has been created to provide scholarships to college-bound dancers and athletes."

Last week, attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the family of 21-year-old Axel Acosta, announced that his clients have also reached a settlement. Buzbee shared in a statement, "Axel Acosta was a beloved son, brother, and student. He was kind and loving. He is greatly missed. Please keep his family in your prayers."

Acosta was described as a computer science major at Western Washington University who traveled to Houston to see Scott’s performance. Because he was out of town and had traveled alone, it took authorities some time for them to identify him.

Acosta was part of a lawsuit representing at least 124 other victims. The lawsuit was seeking over $750 million in damages.

After announcing the settlement, Buzbee shared a statement with KTRK-TV that read in part, "The claims brought by the family of Axel Acosta against Travis Scott, Live Nation, Apple, and others involved in the Astroworld tragedy have settled. The terms are confidential.” The statement adds, “Axel Acosta didn't have to die. We hope that this lawsuit and settlement will bring much-needed change in the way concerts are planned, permitted, organized, and executed, to make such events safer for all concerned."

Following the deadly concert, over 500 lawsuits were filed against concert organizers, Scott, and other performers. While a majority of the lawsuits are still pending, at least three individuals who filed lawsuits have amended their complaints to include Live Nation’s CEO and president as defendants.

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Nadia El-Yaouti
Nadia El-Yaouti
Nadia El-Yaouti is a postgraduate from James Madison University, where she studied English and Education. Residing in Central Virginia with her husband and two young daughters, she balances her workaholic tendencies with a passion for travel, exploring the world with her family.

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