Wrongful death lawsuit filed after concert crush
The family of a woman who died in a stampede at a concert venue in the United States have launched legal action over her death.
Three women lost their lives in the crowd crush, which took place at Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York, following a show by rapper GloRilla on 5 March when concertgoers began rushing towards the exits after apparently mistaking the sound of confetti poppers for gunshots. Around 3,900 fans were in attendance at the event.
According to Wham, Rochester Police said that about 200 people claiming to have VIP tickets had attempted to push past security about 20 minutes before the end of the gig, leading to a jam between those trying to leave and those who had just arrived.
Bruce Stephens, husband of 35-year-old victim Aisha Stephens, is now suing the venue, its former owner Scott Donaldson, the performers on stage – GloRilla, aka Gloria Woods, and Finnesse2tymes, real name Ricky Hampton – along with the private security provider working the show. All defendants are accused of being “reckless, negligent and careless”.
The lawsuit was filed this week in Onondaga County and seeks unspecified damages. CNY Central reports that the suit is the first to be launched in relation to the incident and alleges that adequate safety and security measures were not provided at the concert, which it claims was held with “reckless disregard for the safety of others”.
The City of Rochester concluded there was no basis for criminal charges over the incident
Rhondesia Belton, 33, and 35-year-old Brandy Miller also died in the incident, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Earlier this year, the City of Rochester concluded there was no basis to bring criminal charges over the tragedy after a “comprehensive, multi-departmental investigation”.
National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump previously intimated that he planned to file a lawsuit against the venue on behalf of one of the victims and several injured concertgoers.
The venue was shut down and changed hands just weeks after the fatal surge. According to paperwork filed with the DA’s office, Donaldson sold the venue on 23 March to 900 E Main Street Rochester LLC for $550,000, reported Spectrum News.
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No charges filed over fatal US concert stampede
No criminal charges will be brought over the fatal crowd crush at the Main Street Armory concert venue in Rochester, New York earlier this year.
Three women lost their lives in the incident, which took place following a show by rapper GloRilla on 5 March when concertgoers began running towards the exits, rumoured to have been sparked by unfounded reports of gunshots.
Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, Rhondesia Belton, 33, and 35-year-old Brandy Miller all died in the tragedy, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
However, a “comprehensive, multi-departmental investigation” into the stampede by the City of Rochester has concluded there is no basis for criminal charges.
“The city’s law department, police and fire departments, department of neighbourhood and business development and code enforcement teams conducted an extensive investigation over several weeks,” reads a statement from the authority. “The teams completed numerous interviews and comprehensive inspections, and compiled the information for consideration by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
“Based on the information and evidence, both the RPD and DA’s Office determined that there is no basis for criminal charges in this case.”
The city is reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures to “identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security
Nonetheless, the city says it is reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures to “identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security for entertainment patrons in Rochester”.
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy after the police investigation revealed “justifiable concerns” regarding the licensee’s “ability to operate the premises”.
Spectrum News reports that the venue changed hands just weeks after the stampede. According to paperwork filed with the DA’s office, Main Street Armory owner Scott Donaldson sold the venue on 23 March to 900 E Main Street Rochester LLC for $550,000.
National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has intimated that he plans to file a lawsuit against the venue on behalf of one of the victims and several concertgoers injured in the incident.
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Third woman dies after NY concert crowd crush
A third person has died as a result of injuries sustained in the crowd crush that followed a concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York last weekend.
Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, had been in hospital since the incident after the show by US rapper GloRilla ended just after 11pm on 5 March. Two other women, Rhondesia Belton, 33, and 35-year-old Brandy Miller, also died, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Police say the crowd may have panicked and rushed for the exits after unfounded reports of gunfire, leading to a “stampede”.
“As the concert was ending, concertgoers began running towards the exits after hearing what they described as gunshots,” says a letter to the venue signed by Rochester Police Investigation chief David Smith. “Your contracted event security guards were unable to control the crowd as they were running, which in turn caused a human stampede.”
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy
The 6,500-cap Main Street Armory has had its licence suspended in the wake of the tragedy after the police investigation revealed “justifiable concerns regarding your ability to operate the premises”. “You have failed to maintain good order on the premises,” it adds.
The BBC reports the decision to revoke the licence made after the venue’s owner failed to show up for a scheduled meeting with the police chief and Rochester’s city attorney.
“It is one step we can immediately take to ensure that the events of Sunday night are not repeated,” says Smith. “The bottom line is, lives were lost, and we need to take steps to make sure that no lives are lost in the future if this was indeed something that was preventable.”
Police are looking at “possibly crowd size, shots fired, pepper spray and other contributing factors” as potential causes of the tragedy.
Posting on Twitter in the aftermath of the concert, GloRilla – real name Gloria Woods – said: “I am devastated and heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me, praying for their families and for a speedy recovery of everyone affected.”
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Two dead after crush at GloRilla concert
Two women have died and eight other people injured in a stampede following a concert at the Main Street Armory venue in Rochester, New York.
The victims – aged 33 and 35 – were caught up in a crush after the show by US rapper GloRilla ended just after 11pm on Sunday (5 March). Another woman is in a critical condition, while seven people required hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Police have acknowledged reports that gunfire was heard, causing the crowd to panic, but add that has not been confirmed.
“As people began to exit, the crowd began to surge and rushed towards the exit,” says Rochester Police Department chief David M. Smith. “Officers that were detailed outside of the venue were eventually able to make their way inside, where they located three females with significant injuries. Officers, security and EMS provided life-saving measures on the three females before they were transported to Strong Hospital.
“As the night went on, an additional seven people arrived at local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries from the event. Preliminary reports from people at the scene indicate that these injuries were caused from being trampled. We do not have any evidence of gunshots being fired or anyone being shot or stabbed.”
“Our investigators are interviewing surviving victims, concertgoers, security, and everyone else that has potential information as to what led to this tragedy”
The venue has a capacity of 6,500 for concerts, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
“We are hearing many reports of potential causes, including crowd size, shots fired, pepper spray, and more,” adds Smith. “Our investigators are interviewing surviving victims, concertgoers, security, and everyone else that has potential information as to what led to this tragedy. We are working with the fire marshal’s office to help determine number of concertgoers related to the capacity of the venue.
“In addition, we are working with various other licensing agencies such as code enforcement, the New York State Liquor Authority, and others, to verify compliance with regulatory safety measures and to hold those that were not in compliance, accountable for their actions.”
Posting on Twitter, GloRilla – real name Gloria Woods – says: “I am devastated and heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me, praying for their families and for a speedy recovery of everyone affected.”
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