Christopher BarrettA crowd surge following a concert by rappers GloRilla and Finesse2Tymes at the 5,000-capacity Main Street Armory venue in Rochester, NY, on Sunday night has left two dead and many injured.
The incident reportedly occurred after audience members panicked on hearing gunshots in the venue.
Police later issued a statement clarifying that no injuries sustained during the incident were consistent with gunfire.
“The injuries appear to be as a result of a large crowd pushing towards the exits following accounts of individuals hearing what they believed to be gunshots,” said police Lt. Nicholas Adams.
Two women have been pronounced dead since the incident on Sunday night, 5 March, with another said to be in a critical condition. Police said seven other concertgoers were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
It is the latest in a series of fatalities at shows in recent months, including a crowd crush during a gig by Afro-pop singer Asake at Academy Music Group (AMG) operated O2 Academy Brixton on 15 December that led to two fatalities, and has seen the venue shuttered as an investigation into the incident continues.