Travis Scott has settled the last remaining wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the tragic 2021 Astroworld concert incident.
According to Rolling Stone, Scott West, an attorney for the family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount, confirmed on Thursday (May 23) that the family had reached an agreement with the parties involved, including Travis Scott and Live Nation.
Blount was the youngest of the 10 victims who died due to a crowd crush during Scott’s performance at the festival.
“The family will continue its journey to heal but will never forget the joy that Ezra brought to everyone around him,” West said in an email statement. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The settlement of Blount’s case follows the announcement that Travis Scott, also known as Cactus Jack, is required to appear in court in September 2024 for jury selection in the trial. The case was set to be heard before State District Judge Kristen Hawkins on September 10, 2024. The Blount family had attempted to expedite the hearing, but scheduling and logistical issues prevented an earlier date.
Blount’s lawsuit was one of ten wrongful death suits filed against Travis Scott and other parties involved in the Astroworld tragedy. Last week, it was revealed that Blount’s case was the only wrongful death suit that hadn’t yet reached a settlement. All other wrongful death suits have been settled confidentially, though approximately 2,400 injury cases remain active.
In March, Scott’s attorneys argued that the responsibility for fan safety lies with event organizers and venue staff. “Like any other adrenaline-inducing diversion, music festivals must balance exhilaration with safety and security — but that balance is not the job of performing artists, even those involved in promoting and marketing performances,” lawyer Daniel Petrocelli wrote.
He continued, “When, during festival planning, concerns arose about the risk of a stampede occurring at the festival site, the Scott defendants supported festival organizers’ efforts to eliminate that risk by agreeing to remove certain rides and other attractions. Then, when the Scott defendants were told to end the show after Mr. Scott’s guest performer finished performing, they did just that — ending the show as directed.”
