Travis Scott, Drake sued for ‘inciting crowd’ at Astroworld music festival [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Rappers Travis Scott and Drake were sued by concertgoers who say they were injured at the Astroworld music festival.
• Scott and Drake were sued for ‘inciting the crowd’ and creating mayhem during Friday’s performance.
• The lawsuit also alleges that Scott “had incited mayhem and chaos at prior events.”

At least three lawsuits have been filed by concertgoers who say they were injured at the Astroworld music festival. At least eight people were killed and dozens more were injured.

The defendants include rappers Travis Scott and Drake and venue and entertainment company Live Nation. Two of the suits are seeking $1 million in damages.

During Scott’s performance on Friday night, a crowd surge occurred and concertgoers started to “compress” toward the stage, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said Saturday. 

A civil suit by plaintiff Kristian Paredes against Scott and Drake blames them for inciting “a riot and violence.” The suit also claims Live Nation failed to provide adequate security and medical services at the music festival.

The suit alleges that Scott “had incited mayhem and chaos at prior events,” and says the other defendants didn’t take steps to prevent that behavior.

It also claims Drake, who appeared as a surprise performer, “helped incite the crowd even though he knew of [Scott’s] prior conduct,” and “continued to perform on stage while the crowd mayhem continued.” 

In a statement Saturday, Scott said he was “absolutely devastated by what took place.”

The lawsuit says Paredes was standing at the front of the general admission section at the time, near a metal barrier separating the VIP section from the rest of the crowd. When Scott began performing, Paredes “felt an immediate push” before “the crowd became chaotic and a stampede began,” the lawsuit says.  

“Many begged security guards hired by Live Nation Entertainment for help, but were ignored,” the lawsuit adds.

As a result of the incident, Paredes “suffered severe bodily injuries” that “had a serious effect on the Plaintiff’s health and well-being,” the lawsuit says.  

“Some of the effects are permanent and will abide with the Plaintiff for a long time into the future, if not for his entire life,” the suit states.  

In addition, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said Sunday that he’s filed a lawsuit on behalf of 21-year-old Noah Gutierrez, and expects to file more for other alleged victims next week. 

Scott, Live Nation and concert promoter Scoremore are defendants in a suit seeking $1 million in damages for Manuel Souza. That suit claims Souza “suffered serious bodily injuries when the uncontrolled crowd at the concert knocked him to the ground and trampled him.”

Source: CBS News