The mass casualty event that took place on November 5 at Travis Scott’s 2021 Astroworld festival in Houston has claimed its tenth—and youngest—victim. As reported by The Root last week, nine-year-old Scott fan Ezra Blount was atop his father Treston’s shoulders when a crowd surge among the festival’s approximately 50,000 attendees crushed Treston to unconsciousness. Falling to the ground, Ezra was subsequently trampled by concertgoers, suffering massive injuries.

Hyundai Launches First Black American Marketing Campaign Using Black Slang ‘OKAY Hyundai’

“He has injuries to his kidney, to his lung, to his liver. Basically, every organ has damage,” Ezra’s grandmother, Tericia Blount, told Rolling Stone. “He had cardiac arrest. His heart is weak and has damage as well. And his brain has swelling, and he’s in an induced coma.”

Tragically, after over a week on a ventilator, Ezra’s injuries were too severe for the 9-year-old to survive. The Blount family announced Ezra’s death on Sunday night via a statement from the family’s attorney Ben Crump (h/t Variety).

The Blount family tonight is grieving the incomprehensible loss of their precious young son. This should not have been the outcome of taking their son to a concert, what should have been a joyful celebration. Ezra’s death is absolutely heartbreaking. We are committed to seeking answers and justice for the Blount family. But tonight we stand in solidarity with the family, in grief, and in prayer.

Source: Astroworld Claims a 10th Victim as 9-Year-Old Ezra Blount Dies From His Injuries

“I’ve spent the past few days trying to wrap my mind around this devastating tragedy. I hate resorting to this platform to express as emotion as delicate as grief but this is where I find myself. My heart is broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives and for anyone who is suffering,” said Drake in the statement.

He adds, “I will continue to pray for all of them, and will be of service in any way I can. May God be with you all.”

We previously reported that Travis Scott has been hit with several lawsuits over the eight people who died Friday night at his Astroworld Festival in Houston. In the wake of the tragedy, the rapper/entrepreneur issued a statement: “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival,” Travis said in the statement on Twitter.

Jodie Turner-Smith’s ‘Anne Boleyn’ acquired by AMC+ for U.S. premiere

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)

Travis Scott went on to thank first responders and Houston’s NRG Park, where the event was held.

“Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department, and NRG Park for their immediate response and support. Love you all,” he added.

The hip-hop star also posted a video saying he would have stopped the show if only he had known how serious the situation was — watch his reaction video below.

Source: Drake Issues Statement On Astroworld Tragedy That Left 8 Dead, Hundreds Injured

At least eight people died at a popular rapper’s music festival in Texas on Friday night from apparent overcrowding in an event that also saw throngs of fans break through barriers outside and trampling people in the process, prompting speculation and accusations about who was responsible for safety. Nearly two dozen others were hospitalized amid reports of multiple people suffering heart attacks. At least one of the people being described as victims was reportedly as young as 10 years old.

Video footage and photos emerging from rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld concert series in Houston show graphic footage of people passed out on the ground while some were receiving CPR as the show kept going on.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s Infamous Super Bowl Controversy Getting Documentary Treatment

None of the victims were immediately identified. https://platform.twitter.com/embed

Social media accounts from concertgoers were consistent in their claims that there was not enough security or medical personnel or medical equipment available as it became increasingly clear that people were dying.

Exact details were scarce, but local news outlet KHOU reported that “the crowd began to rush toward the stage around 9:15 p.m. and people started passing out because they couldn’t breathe.”

People who claim to be in attendance were increasingly posting their own testimonials to social media about their experiences. One person who said he was in the front said he also couldn’t breathe when he was crushed but that he was pulled out by people who noticed him.

Source: Who Is To Blame For Astroworld Deaths? Videos Show Chaos As The Concert Went On