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No criminal charges for Armory after deaths of 3 concert-goers
Criminal charges will not be filed against the Main Street Armory for the deaths of three-concert goers in a crowd surge back in March (AP photo).
Criminal charges will not be filed against the Main Street Armory for the deaths of three-concert goers in a crowd surge back in March (AP photo).
No criminal charges for Armory after deaths of 3 concert-goers
No criminal charges will be filed against the Main Street Armory for the deaths of three people during a panic-sparked crowd surge at a concert back in March.
Rhondesia Belton, 33 of Buffalo, Brandy Miller, 35 of Rochester, and Aisha Haskins-Stephens, 35 of Syracuse, were killed during a frenzied stampede on March 8 during a GloRilla show. Thousands of patrons were racing out of the building after hearing what they believed to be gunshots. Police said they found no evidence of gunfire.
City of Rochester officials said on Monday afternoon that after a “comprehensive, multi-departmental investigation,” criminal charges could not be supported.
The city’s law, police and fire departments, along with the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development and Code Enforcement teams spent several weeks interviewing involved parties and completing comprehensive inspections.
The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and the police department both determined there was no basis for criminal charges, the city said.
City officials are, however, reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures “to identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security for entertainment patrons in Rochester.”
The property had been owned by Scott Donaldson’s Main Street Armory, LLC. He sold the building for $550,000 on March 22 to 900 E. Main Street Rochester LLC, an entity owned by Rochester-based real estate investor John Trickey.
Family members of at least one victim have indicated they will file a civil suit for negligence.
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