According to police, a third person perished in the crash that occurred on Sunday at a GloRilla concert in New York.
Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, had been hospitalized since the performance, during which the audience panicked and rushed for the exits as soon as the music concluded.
The incident at Rochester’s Main Street Armory may have been sparked by unfounded concerns of gunfire, according to the police.
The venue’s license has since been revoked.
The owner missed a meeting with the police superintendent and Rochester’s city counsel on Wednesday, prompting the decision.
“It is one step we can take immediately to prevent a repeat of Sunday night,” said police superintendent David Smith.
“The bottom line is that lives were lost. And we must take measures to ensure that no lives are lost in the future if this was indeed preventable.”
The crush also claimed the lives of Brandy Miller, a 35-year-old nursing assistant, and Rhondesia Belton, a 33-year-old municipal employee. Seven others were transported to the hospital with injuries.
‘Heartbroken’ GloRilla
Currently, an investigation is being conducted into several possible causes, including “possibly crowd size, shots discharged, pepper spray, and other contributing factors.”
Police are also attempting to determine if the crowd size exceeded the Armory’s capacity and if the appropriate safety precautions were taken.
GloRilla, whose hit song F.N.F. (Let’s Go) was nominated for best rap performance at the Grammy Awards last month, learned of the tragedy only after departing the venue.
Later, she tweeted: “I am heartbroken and devastated by the tragic fatalities that occurred after Sunday’s performance.
“My followers mean the world to me. Praying for their families and a swift recovery for all those impacted.”
Fans who attended the concert recalled scenes of hysteria as dread gripped the audience.
Tamira De Jesus, 28, told Rolling Stone magazine, “I didn’t see anything but the crowd pushing everyone towards the restroom like a wave pool.”
“I was being suffocated while attempting to assist those on the ground to stand up. I genuinely heard a man say, “[Expletive] them, step on them.”
It was the most inhumane act I have ever witnessed, and I am still experiencing anxiety.
Another participant recalled, “I and the lady next to me were climbing on each other to get up.”
Ikea Hayes, 28, told local reporters that she recalled praying and instructing herself: “You must stand up. You must shift. If you remain here, they will continue to run you over.”
She returned to the venue on Monday morning to retrieve earrings, a phone, and a set of keys that she had misplaced during the pandemonium.
Honoring the victims
On Monday, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown paid tribute to the first victim, 33-year-old Rhondesia Belton, who had worked at the city’s Traffic Violations Agency.
“This is another difficult day for our City’s personnel and our entire community,” Brown wrote on Twitter. “I lament the loss of a City employee alongside the rest of my colleagues.”
According to Miller’s family, her existence was “full of love and joy.”
“If you knew her, you would have known that her spirit could cheer anyone up. She cherished her life and cherished her loved ones.”
Physicians and nurses lined the hallway at Rochester’s Strong Hospital to honor the 35-year-old woman who had decided to donate her organs in the event of her death.
Her sister reported that her heart, kidneys, and liver saved four lives.
Aisha Stephens was also honored by the Pop Warner organization, where she had served as a cheerleading coach.
“She had a profound impact on so many people,” the organization said in a statement. She will be dearly missed.
