Nike has postponed the rollout of Travis Scott sneakers, Travis Scott Air Max 1s, amidst the deaths at Astroworld. Ten people died during the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas on Nov. 5 during rapper Travis Scott’s performance after a crowd surge toward the stage crushed them.
Nike posted a statement on their website announcing the decision. The company said they were postponing the release of the Travis Scott Air Max 1s out of respect for those affected by the Astroworld tragedy.
“Out of respect for everyone impacted by the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival, we are postponing the launch of the Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack.”
The youngest to die was 9-year-old Ezra Blount. According to the Washington Post, the boy had been watching the concert from his father’s shoulders when the crowd squished his dad until he lost consciousness.
Treston Blount said that he suddenly found himself struggling to breathe when the crowd of more than 50,000 surged towards the stage. After he lost consciousness, Ezra was trampled by the crowd. Little Ezra had trauma to his brain, liver and kidney. He died on Nov.14 after being in a medically induced coma since Nov. 5.
Correspondent Brian Entin announced Ezra’s death with a picture of him on Twitter.
“9-year-old Ezra Blount has passed away, according to the Mayor of Houston. He was on his dad’s shoulders at the Astroworld concert — when his dad says he could not breathe and passed out. Ezra was trampled and was in a coma before passing away.”
9-year-old Ezra Blount has passed away, according to the Mayor of Houston.
He was on his dad's shoulders at the Astroworld concert — when his dad says he could not breathe and passed out.
Ezra was trampled and was in a coma before passing away. pic.twitter.com/VPWD6F87MF— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) November 15, 2021
Scott released a statement after he found out about the severity of the surge during his set at the Astroworld Festival. The rapper said that he was devastated and was making himself available to the Houston Police Department and the community.
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 6, 2021
Nike was planning to release the “Baroque Brown” and “Saturn Gold” Air Max 1s on Dec. 16 for $160.
The families, including hundreds of others injured during the concert, have filed lawsuits against Live Nation, Scott and other performers for negligence with crowd control, hiring, supervision, training, retention and providing proper medical attention.
Attorney Ben Crump is representing the Blount family and other Astroworld victims. He released a statement noting that the family wanted answers as to how the tragedy could have happened.
“This should not have been the outcome of taking their son to a concert, what should have been a joyful celebration. Ezra’s death is absolutely heartbreaking,” said Crump. “We are committed to seeking answers and justice for the Blount family. But we stand in solidarity with the family, in grief and in prayer.”
Scott has pledged to cover the funeral costs of the victims.
