Families turn down rapper Travis Scott's offer to pay for funerals of Astroworld victims
Several families of the 10 people who died from injuries in a massive crowd surge at the Astroworld festival have turned down an offer by headliner Travis Scott to pay for their loved ones' funeral costs.
Attorneys for the families of iv of the victims said on Tuesday (November 30) that they received a letter of the alphabet from Scott'south attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, in which the offer was made.
In a letter sent Nov 24 to the attorneys for the family of ix-year-old Ezra Blount, Petrocelli said Scott extended his "deepest sympathies and condolences" to Ezra'southward father, Treston Blount, and Scott had wanted to attain out personally "but does not wish to intrude on Mr Blount's privacy during his time of grieving".
Ezra was the youngest person to die from injuries suffered during Scott's concert at the sold-out festival on Nov five that was attended by 50,000 people. The others who died ranged in age from 14 to 27. Around 300 people were treated at the festival site and 13 were hospitalised.
"Travis is devastated past the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival and grieves for the families whose loved ones died or were injured. Travis is committed to doing his office to help the families who take suffered and begin the long process of healing in the Houston community," Petrocelli wrote.
In his reply, Robert Hilliard, an attorney representing Treston Blount in a lawsuit against Scott, the concert promoter and others, declined the offer, maxim that while he believes Scott feels remorse, Scott must see "that he bears some of the responsibleness for this tragedy".
"And mayhap one day, once time allows some healing for the victims and credence of responsibility by Mr Scott and others, Treston and Mr Scott might meet – as at that place is also healing in that," Hilliard said. "For at present, Mr Scott must respect the fact that his pain and his devastation pale to Treston'southward, Ezra'south mom, and the other victims."
Petrocelli did non immediately return a call or e-mail seeking comment Tuesday.
Michael Lyons, an attorney for the family of 27-yr-old Mirza "Danish" Baig, said he viewed the offer to pay for funeral costs partly as a public relations ploy by Scott to "soften people up" in the court of public opinion. Baig's family declined the offer, he said.
"Sadly, for my clients, a cheque from Travis Scott ... is not going to relieve the pain and suffering that they presently are experiencing," Lyons said. "I think it will only get in worse."
Richard Mithoff, an attorney for the family unit of 14-year-erstwhile John Hilgert, also declined Scott's offering.
Valerie Cortinas Fisher, a lawyer for the family of 23-year-old Rodolfo "Rudy" Peña, said her clients are grieving and have nevertheless to consider Scott's offer.
Peña'southward family, who is from Laredo, Texas, travelled to Houston on Monday to visit a memorial site nigh where the concert was held.
Maria de los Angeles Peña, Rodolfo Peña'southward mother, remembered her son as a joyful person who loved life and was a good student.
"I want to say to the earth, take intendance of your children, pray for them, watch where they go, and Travis Scott, God bless him. How there is earthly law, there is also divine law," she said.
Tony Buzbee, who is representing the family of 21-year-old Axel Acosta Avila, said in an email Tuesday he had received a voicemail from a lawyer who was not Petrocelli making an offer for funeral expenses.
"The offer made didn't warrant a response," Buzbee said.
Attorneys for the families of others who died at the festival did not immediately return emails or calls seeking comment.
Scott and the event organisers are the focus of a criminal investigation by Houston police force. No timetable has been ready for when the investigation would exist completed.
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/families-decline-travis-scott-offer-pay-funeral-costs-astroworld-victims-290211
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