Third person dies following stampede at GloRilla concert in Rochester

Third person dies following NY concert stampede

A third person has died after being injured in a stampede after a concert at the Rochester Main Street Armory, police said.

NEW YORK - A third person has died after being injured in a stampede after a concert at the Rochester Main Street Armory, police said.

Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse, was the only person who remained hospitalized following a Sunday evening performance by Memphis, Tennessee rap stars GloRilla and Finesse2tymes. She died Wednesday night.

Two other women, Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo, and Brandy Miller, 35, of Rochester, also died after being caught up in a crush of concertgoers who surged toward the exits after the show around 11 p.m.

2 dead in stampede at GloRilla concert in Rochester

Police in Rochester, New York are investigating what Mayor Malik Evans called "a tragedy of epic proportions" after two women died after being trampled in a crowd surge as concertgoers left a show headlined by Grammy-nominated artist GloRilla.

The city revoked the venue's entertainment license Wednesday while authorities investigate.

The armory's owner has not responded to numerous emailed requests for comment.

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Police said seven additional people were treated at hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries from the stampede.

Police Chief David M. Smith said the fatal crowd surge may have been triggered by unfounded reports of gunfire. Smith said there is no evidence that shots were fired, adding police are investigating several possible causes for the tragedy.

"We do not have any evidence of gunshots being fired or of anyone being shot or stabbed at the scene," Smith said.

Sunday's headliner, GloRilla, tweeted late Monday that she was "devastated & heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show." Glorilla's 2022 song "F.N.F. (Let’s Go)" with Hitkidd was nominated for a Grammy for best rap performance.

Fatal crowd surges have been a recurring disaster at concerts and other large events in the U.S. and around the world, including one at a 2021 concert by rapper Travis Scott in which 10 people died.

The Associated Press wire services helped contribute to this report.