Harris County will not be launching an independent investigation into the deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld Festival, after a unanimous vote by commissioners to conduct an internal review instead.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo had proposed an independent investigation run by an outside firm. “I continue to reiterate my ask that the outcome be objective,” she said in court. “That it be actionable, productive – we owe that to the victims.”
Hidalgo’s plea was denied.
“I proposed a more thorough and detailed scope to increase the likelihood of objectivity and an impactful outcome,” she said. “While this scales back my proposal, I am happy to see the court move as a unit on some next steps.”
The internal review was proposed by a former Houston Police Department officer, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Garcia expressed some concern about whether a new, independent investigation would leave Harris County exposed to lawsuits.
Disgruntled Harris County residents and fans have taken to Reddit and other platforms, expressing concern that an independent investigation is precisely what is needed, regardless of whether it exposes the county to liability.
Injured Astroworld Concertgoers & Their Families Deserve Answers
10 people lost their lives as a result of poor event planning and an inadequate, delayed response to the Astroworld crowd surge. Rapper Travis Scott continued to perform for 40 minutes after local authorities had labeled the incident a “mass casualty event.” The youngest victim was only 9 years old; the others ranged in age from 14 to 27. Hundreds of other fans were injured.
Harris County may not have approved an investigation by an outside firm into this preventable tragedy, but the team at Arnold & Itkin has been working around the clock to find out what happened. We have already conducted our own on-site investigation, seeing with our own eyes how the venue’s design made it deadly.
Our concert injury attorneys are already representing over 500 concertgoers and families who have been impacted by the tragic events at Astroworld. We are investigating the roles that Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation, Live Nation, Travis Scott, Scoremore Holdings, and other parties played in creating an event that was destined to endanger fans’ lives. We will not stop until we find answers and hold at-fault parties accountable. No matter what.
If you were at the Astroworld Festival and have questions or need help, please contact us. We’re ready to hear your story.