No criminal charges to be filed in deadly stampede at Rochester Main Street Armory
After a city police, fire and codes investigation into a human stampede at the Rochester Main Street Armory that killed three people, the District Attorney's Office has decided not to pursue criminal charges.
"The City of Rochester coordinated a comprehensive, multi-departmental investigation into the tragic incident at the Main Street Armory on March 5, 2023, in which three people lost their lives," the city said in a news release Monday.
That investigation included interviews, site inspections and record reviews. The police and District Attorney's Office determined, based on the findings, that "that there is no basis for criminal charges in this case," according to the news release.
Three women died from their injuries after a large crowd surged while leaving Rochester's Main Street Armory following a GloRilla concert, apparently because some in the crowd thought they heard gunshots. The deadly incident prompted the city of Rochester to revoke the venue's entertainment license.
Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo and Brandy Miller, 35, of Rochester died after being trampled. The third victim, Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, died from her injuries several days later.
Families of the victims say they are planning lawsuits. Scott Donaldson, who owned the Armory at the time of the concert, has since sold it.
"In light of the tragedy at the Armory, the City is reviewing its entertainment licensing procedures to identify and implement additional conditions that would increase safety and security for entertainment patrons in Rochester," the city said in its statement.
In the wake of the tragedy, one media outlet reported that a concertgoer said some doors were locked at the Armory, limiting how people could escape. City spokeswoman Barbara Pierce said Monday that "the investigation confirmed the doors were not locked at the time of the crowd surge."
(Includes reporting by staff writer Sean Lahman)
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: No criminal charges in concert stampede at Rochester Main St. Armory
