9-year-old Ezra Blount passed away earlier this month after being placed in a medically-induced coma, weeks after he attended the Astroworld festival alongside his father Treston.
- Nov 30, 2021
AceShowbiz - Travis Scott (II)'s offer to pay for funeral costs for the youngest Astroworld victim has been turned down. Bob Hilliard, the lawyer for 9-year-old Ezra Blount, reveals in a letter that the family has declined the rapper's offer.
"Your client's offer is declined. I have no doubt Mr. Scott feels remorse," Bob wrote in a letter which was obtained by Rolling Stone. "His journey ahead will be painful. He must face and hopefully see that he bears some of the responsibility for this tragedy."
The letter was in response to a letter Scott's attorney Daneil Petrocelli. The letter read, "Travis is devastated by the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival and grieves for the families whose loved ones died or were injured." It continued, "Travis is committed to doing his part to help the families who have suffered and begin the long process of healing in the Houston community. Toward that end, Travis would like to pay for the funeral expenses for Mr. Blount's son."
Ezra's funeral was held on November 23 in Texas. The young boy passed away earlier this month after being placed in a medically-induced coma, weeks after he attended the Astroworld festival alongside his father Treston. At the event, Treston passed out as they were swept up by the crowd surge. After he regained consciousness, Treston was informed that his son was taken to the hospital after being trampled.
Following Ezra's death, the Blount family filed a gross negligence lawsuit against Scott, Cactus Jack Records, Live Nation and promoter ScoreMore Management. In the lawsuit, the family claimed they "egregiously failed in their duty to protect the health, safety, and lives" of attendees.
In the wake of the tragedy, Travis, Drake, Apple Music, Live Nation and NRG Stadium were slapped with a $2 billion lawsuit on behalf of the 282 victims who are represented by San Antonio-based attorney Thomas J. Henry. "The defendants stood to make an exorbitant amount of money off of this event, and they still chose to cut corners, cut costs, and put attendees at risk," the lawyer said. "My clients want to ensure the defendants are held responsible for their actions, and they want to send the message to all performers, event organizers, and promoters that what happened at Astroworld cannot happen again."
