Posted by Houston, TX – The Astroworld Festival tragedy on November 5 claimed the lives of 10 people and injured hundreds of others. Festival founder Travis Scott offered to pay for the deceased victims’ funerals and any mental health counseling deemed necessary by those who witnessed the horrific scene.
But the family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount, who died days after being trampled, isn’t interested in the “SICKO MODE” rapper’s charity. In a letter obtained by Rolling Stone, Scott’s lawyer Daneil Petrocelli told Blount family attorney Bob Hilliard his client would be happy to cover the costs of burying their child.
“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 committed to doing his part to help the families who have suffered and begin the long process of healing in the Houston community. Toward that end, Travis would like to pay for the funeral expenses for Mr. Blount’s son.”
His family is so grateful for all of your prayers. Surely, Ezra held on this long due to the surrounding spirit of his loved ones, and your powerful prayer. Please continue to lift his family in prayer. pic.twitter.com/Kz7PDXneKk
— Stefania Okolie (@StefaniaOnABC13) November 15, 2021
But Hilliard replied, “Your client’s offer is decline. I have no doubt Mr. Scott feels remorse. His journey ahead will be painful. He must face and hopefully see that he bears some of the responsibility for this tragedy.”
The Blount family moved ahead with their own funeral and buried their child in Texas on November 23.
Blount was rushed to a Houston children’s hospital where he was placed in medically induced coma with damage to his internal organs including his lungs, kidney and heart as well as brain swelling due to cardiac arrest. His family was forced to remove him from life support on November 14, making Blount the youngest victim out of the 10 who passed away.
Astroworld Tragedy Leaves 9-Year-Old Boy In Coma: ‘Why Didn’t Travis Scott Stop?’
Harris County released the names of the initial eight victims on November 8: Mirza Baig, 27, Rodolfo Peña, 23, Madison Dubiski, 23, Franco Patiño, 21, Jacob Jurinke, 20, John Hilgert, 14, Axel Acosta Avila, 21, and Brianna Rodriguez, 16.
The ninth victim, 22-year-old Texas A&M senior Bhari Shahani, was initially declared brain dead before her family had to make the difficult decision to let her go on November 11.
Travis Scott is facing an onslaught of lawsuits totaling billions of dollars but according to an attorney to spoke with Yahoo! Finance earlier this month, they likely won’t stick.