Astroworld victims honored at prayer vigil amid criminal investigation
HOUSTON — Mourners and native leaders gathered in a downtown church Sunday night to recollect the eight individuals who died and dozens hospitalized in the course of the deadly stampede on the Astroworld Pageant Friday.
The Rev. Paul Felix led round 20 attendees in prayer at Annunciation Catholic Church and highlighted how many individuals sprung into motion on the pageant to assist these round them.
Brenda Guzman and her associate, Charles Gamez, attended the vigil after attending Astroworld on Friday. They did not know any of those that died on the live performance however felt compelled to pay their respects, Gamez stated.
Guzman, the mom of a 2-year-old, stated she feels for households who misplaced a cherished one.
“I have not actually been myself since the whole lot has occurred,” she stated. “I am nonetheless affected by it.”
The vigil drew native leaders, together with Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo, the county’s prime govt.
In an interview with USA TODAY after the service, Hidalgo stated she’s nonetheless rigorously reviewing the safety and medical plans filed in preparation for Astroworld Pageant and had a rising record of questions, together with who accepted the plans and whether or not or not they have been acceptable for the quantity of people that attended.
For now, nonetheless, she stated she was centered on those that misplaced family members on the present.
“Now we have to focus proper now on honoring the victims, on remembering them,” Hidalgo stated. “We acknowledge this goes past Harris County.”
Greater than 50,000 individuals have been in attendance on the music pageant Friday when performer Travis Scott took the stage, inflicting the crowds to surge towards the stage at NRG Park and crushing concertgoers. A prison investigation has been launched to have a look at the place issues went flawed on the pageant, which first began in 2018.
Victims ranged in age between 14 and 27. Twenty-five individuals have been taken to a hospital, together with a 10-year-old who was in essential situation, officers stated.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner instructed CNN’s Pamela Brown on Sunday that his crew met to start reviewing what occurred on the live performance. The investigation “will take weeks, if not longer,” he stated.
Over the weekend, the primary three of what may very well be many lawsuits have been filed, together with one in state courtroom in Houston on behalf of a person injured within the crush of individuals. Attorneys for Manuel Souza sued Scott, Reside Nation, the present’s promoters, and others, saying they have been accountable.
Scott, an eight-time Grammy-nominated rapper and Houston native, launched an announcement expressing his sorrow over Friday’s occasions.
“I’m completely devastated by what passed off final night time,” he wrote on Twitter. “My prayers exit to the households and all these impacted by what occurred at Astroworld Pageant. Houston PD has my complete assist as they proceed to look into the tragic lack of life.”
On Sunday, a line of concertgoers gathered at a gate to the pageant grounds to retrieve misplaced gadgets — cell telephones and keys — misplaced within the mayhem of Friday night time’s live performance. Some laid flowers at a close-by memorial to these killed. Others recounted the panic and ache of being wedged into crowds so tight that it was unimaginable to maneuver or, typically, breathe.
A crew of handlers with remedy canines walked via the road, encouraging individuals to pet them.
Ian James, 25, flew in from Los Angeles to attend the live performance. The occasion had particular that means for James, who grew up in Houston and remembered when the grounds was the precise Astroworld amusement park.
He stated he arrived early sufficient to the Scott present to maneuver to a great spot near the stage — a transfer he rapidly regretted. Because the performer took the stage, our bodies slammed towards him, as safety guards frantically tried to tug out these in hassle.
“Each seven seconds, it was like vehicles have been hitting you from behind,” James stated. “It appeared like your complete set they have been simply pulling individuals out.”
He stated safety appeared utterly overwhelmed by the magnitude of individuals. Nonetheless, James, together with a number of others on the memorial Sunday, stated he would not blame Scott.
“I prefer to imagine he helps the youth, he seems out for the children,” he stated. “He was making an attempt to present them an escape from this troubled actuality we’ve been residing in … There’s no approach he may have identified.”
Observe Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.