Travis Scott’s offer to pay for the funeral of the youngest person to die as a result of attending his Astroworld Festival was turned down by the young boy’s family.
On November 5, a crowd surge at Houston’s NRG Park stadium resulted in a deadly stampede, killing ten people and injuring hundreds more.
Ezra Blount, 9, died in the hospital several days after the incident. The boy’s family, who suffered severe brain, kidney, and liver damage, has since begun suing Astroworld headliner Scott, Live Nation, and other organizers for at least $1 million.
While Scott stated on social media that he was “devastated” by the tragedy and offered to cover the funeral costs of all event attendees who died, Blount’s family declined his offer.
Bob Hilliard, the Blount family’s lawyer, responded in a letter. “Your client’s offer has been rejected.” Mr. Scott, without a doubt, feels remorse. His journey will be difficult. He must confront, and hopefully see, that he bears some of the blame for this tragedy.”
The musician’s new lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, forwarded Scott’s offer to Hillard and his co-counsel, Ben Crump. The funeral for the young victim was held on November 23 in Texas.
“Travis is devastated by the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival and grieves for the families whose loved ones died or were injured,” Petrocelli wrote.
Travis is dedicated to doing his part to assist the bereaved families and to begin the long process of healing in the Houston community. Travis would like to contribute to Mr. Blount’s son’s funeral expenses.”
“There may be, and I hope there is, redemption and growth for him on the other side of what this painful process will be,” Hillard said, “and perhaps one day, once time allows for some healing for the victims and acceptance of responsibility by Mr. Scott and others, Treston and Mr. Scott might meet, as there is also healing in that.”
“To lose a child in the manner Treston lost Ezra adds to the anguish,” Hillard continued. “As a parent, Treston can’t help but agonize over the terrible thought that Ezra’s final minutes were filled with terror, suffering, suffocation, and, worst of all, being surrounded by strangers, his father unconscious beneath the uncontrollable crowd.”
Treston Blount had set up a GoFundMe page to cover the costs of his son’s medical treatment while he was in the hospital battling his injuries. Donations totaled more than $111,000 for the campaign.
On the page, the bereaved father wrote that he was carrying his son on his shoulders as they awaited Drake’s performance. However, as the crowd grew, the elder Blount described how he “began to be crushed until I couldn’t breathe and passed out.”
When he regained consciousness, he discovered that his son had gone missing.
Scott, who has remained silent since the tragedy, is facing a slew of lawsuits, including a $2 billion suit filed on behalf of 282 event attendees by a Texas attorney.
Following the tragic events at the festival, Scott stated on Twitter that he was “absolutely devastated.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and all those affected by what happened at the Astroworld Festival,” he said. “Houston Police Department has my full support as they continue to investigate the tragic loss of life.”
“I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and NRG Park for their immediate response and support. Love you all.”
As well as offering to cover the funeral costs of those who died in the stampede, it was announced that Scott would provide free one-on-one online therapy for all others who were impacted by the events.
