Houston Police Release 1,300-Page Report on Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Controversy Surrounding Travis Scott Case
Houston police release a 1,300-page report on the ‘Travis Scott Case: Astroworld Festival Tragedy’, while controversy arises surrounding Travis Scott’s role and the timing of the report’s release.
Houston police reveal 1,300-page investigative report on the Astroworld Festival tragedy, documenting 10 fatalities and 300 injuries. (PHOTO: XXL Mag)
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Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Houston Police Release 1,300-Page Report with Revealing Interviews of Headliners Travis Scott and Drake
Houston police have released a comprehensive 1,300-page investigative report on the tragic events that unfolded during the Astroworld Festival on July 28, resulting in 10 fatalities and approximately 300 injuries. The report includes transcripts of 91 distress calls made by concertgoers, text messages from security personnel, and interviews with hundreds of employees conducted in the days following the incident. Among those interviewed were headliners Travis Scott and Drake.
During the police interview, Travis Scott claimed he did not notice any serious issues with the crowd and stated that the attendees seemed to be enjoying the show. He denied hearing any demands from the crowd to stop the performance. Similarly, Drake reported that it was difficult to see from the stage during his performance and learned about the tragedy later that night from his manager and social media.
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Controversy and Fallout: Houston Grand Jury Clears Travis Scott in Astroworld Tragedy as Police Report Timing Draws Suspicion
According to XXLMag, security and event staff recounted a more alarming experience. A security contractor texted the festival’s security director after Travis Scott’s 9 p.m. show, expressing concerns about a dangerous situation near the main stage. However, the security director claimed to have checked the area and did not see anything amiss.
In the aftermath of the incident, a Houston grand jury decided not to criminally charge Travis Scott for the 10 deaths. The fatalities resulted from a crowd surge that led to accidental asphyxia as the crowd compressed in a central location. The festival, attended by around 50,000 people, prompted multiple lawsuits against the artist, but the first case was settled in October.
The timing of the report’s release has sparked controversy, with Travis Scott’s attorney, Kent Schaffer, suggesting that it was deliberately intended to coincide with the launch of the rapper’s new album, “Utopia,” in an attempt to harm album sales and deflect blame from law enforcement. A statement from Travis Scott’s representative accused the Houston Police Department of trying to discredit the artist and his team, asserting that they were cleared of any wrongdoing by the grand jury and calling for the focus to be on preventing future tragedies rather than casting blame.
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