Family of youngest Astroworld victim, 9-year-old Ezra Blount, reaches settlement in lawsuit against Travis Scott, others
The families of nine other victims killed in a crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld Festival settled their lawsuits earlier this month.
HOUSTON — The family of Ezra Blount, the 9-year-old Dallas boy who died in the 2021 Astroworld Festival tragedy in Houston, have settled their lawsuit against rapper Travis Scott, Live Nation and Apple.
Ezra was the youngest victim killed in the crowd surge that also injured hundreds. A trial date in that lawsuit had been set for Sept. 10 but attorney S. Scott West confirmed a settlement was reached.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired after Ezra's 2021 funeral.
Ezra went to Astroworld with his father to see Scott, their favorite rapper, but they got caught in the crowd surge. Treston Blount passed out but survived. Ezra was trampled and he died after spending several days in a coma.
The attorney for Blount's family penned a heartbreaking letter to Scott's lawyers in 2021 that was obtained by Rolling Stone. Bob Hilliard called the boy's death "a faucet of unimaginable that has no off handle."
“To lose a child in the manner Treston lost Ezra compounds the pain,” Hilliard wrote. “As a parent, Treston cannot help but agonize over the terrible idea that Ezra’s last minutes were filled with terror, suffering, suffocation and worst of all surrounded by strangers, his dad unconscious underneath the uncontrolled crowd.”
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The families of nine other Astroworld victims settled their wrongful death lawsuits earlier this month. They were announced as jury selection was about to begin in the suit filed by the family of Madison Dubiski, a 23-year-old Houston resident who was killed.
Terms of the settlements were confidential and attorneys declined to comment after the court hearing because of a gag order in the case.
Ezra Blount was full of energy and love
More than 200 people attended Ezra's funeral at Inspiring Body of Christ Church in Dallas, including his friends and classmates.
Family members wore red shirts with the boy's picture and the words ”Forever In Our Hearts.” They said red was Ezra's favorite color.
They described the 9-year-old as full of energy and love and an outgoing performer who loved to sing and dance.
“A life cut short for a fun event, which should have been a fun event,” said his great aunt Gwen Thomas. “We're not prepared to let him go … we're not prepared."
The family declined to accept Scott's offer to cover pay for the funeral expenses.
"I have no doubt Mr. Scott feels remorse," Hilliard wrote, according to the Rolling Stone report. "His journey ahead will be painful. He must face and hopefully see that he bears some of the responsibility for this tragedy."
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