Grand jury decides not to bring charges in case of deadly Astroworld Festival concert surge

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury declined to indict rapper Travis Scott in a criminal investigation into the Astroworld Festival disaster, which left 10 concertgoers dead. Ultimately, they returned six no bill decisions, meaning no criminal charges will be pursued.

More than 18 months after the deadly concert surge as Travis Scott performed at NRG Park on Nov. 5, 2021, no one has been held criminally responsible for the tragedy.

Scott's attorney spoke with ABC13, saying, "It has just been confirmed to me that the grand jury no-billed Travis Scott, which is great relief to Travis. It's something we were hoping, something we expected based on lack of evidence."

"Everything was presented to the grand jury, and they found there was no criminal liability on Travis' part," lawyer Kent Schaffer added.

HPD breaks down Astroworld investigation after no charges brought forth

The Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney's Office explain the steps in their Astroworld investigation shortly after a grand jury declined to criminally charge Travis Scott and five others.

The victims, with the youngest just 9 years old, all died of compression asphyxiation, the medical examiner ruled. Roughly 300 people were injured and treated at the scene, and 25 were taken to hospitals.

A 56-page event operations plan for the festival had detailed protocols for various dangerous scenarios including a shooting, bomb or terrorist threats and severe weather. But it did not include information on what to do in the event of a crowd surge.

Similar crushes have happened all over the world, from a soccer stadium in England to the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to Halloween festivities in the South Korean capital.

Most people who who die in crowd surges suffocate.

Travis Scott's attorney confirms 'no-bill' of rapper, 5 others

Kent Schaffer, the attorney of Houston rapper Travis Scott, speaks to reporters shortly after a Harris County grand jury decided not to bring criminal charges against the Astroworld performer.

Schaffer said he feels sympathy for those who were killed at the festival and their families.

"But Travis is not responsible," Schaffer said. "Bringing criminal charges against him will not ease their pain."

Watch in-depth coverage of what unfolded at the festival in Astroworld Aftermath

Fans waited for months to see Travis Scott at Astroworld. But the concert turned into a deadly tragedy. "Astroworld Aftermath" shows you what really happened that night.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.