(CNN) A third person died As a result of the fatal crush of concert-goers The Rochester, New York, venue for the event Sunday night, according to a news release from Police obtained by CNN affiliate WHAM.
The victim, 35-year-old Aisha Stephens, was “the last victim to remain in the hospital” from the accident, the statement said, adding that “the investigation into the accident is continuing.”
Police said earlier that officers initially responded to a report of gunfire around 11:05 p.m. inside the Main Street Armory, which was hosting a GloRilla concert. Inside, officers find two wounded but there is no evidence of gunfire.
Rochester Police Lieutenant Nicholas Adams said earlier, “The injuries appear to have resulted from a large crowd rushing towards the exits following accounts from individuals hearing what they believed were gunshots.”
In addition to Stevens, Brandi Miller, 35, and Rhondisia Pelton, 33, were also killed, according to police. At least seven others were wounded.
Atiyah Hawley, one of the attendees, told CNN she was leaving the venue with her sister when she heard what sounded like muffled gunshots outside.
“It looked like they were shooting outside, so everyone started running inside,” said Holly. “Then when everyone else tried to get out again, he just went crazy.”
Investigators are now working with fire marshals to help determine the number of concertgoers in relation to the maximum 5,000 people at the venue. capacity. Rochester Police Chief David Smith said the investigation is in its early stages, and police are asking anyone with video of what happened in the future.
Place She was banned from hosting events during the investigationofficials said Wednesday, after its owner failed to show up for a meeting with police and the city’s law department chief about the venue’s pending renewal of its entertainment license.
The city said in a statement that the place had been subject to two previous city code violations: one involving an unapproved business operation in the back of the property where activity had ceased and an unapproved “residential unit” that the city could not prove was occupied.
The tragedy follows a series of deadly crowds at entertainment events. in 2021, Eight people died at the Astroworld music festival in Houston. last fall, 158 people were killed in the crowd During Halloween celebrations in the nightlife district of Seoul, South Korea.
Daken Andoni, Sarah Smart, Carol Alvarado, Brynn Gingras and Holly Yan contributed to this report.
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