Men sue security firm linked to Astroworld
Jackson Bush found the Astroworld Festival security gig through social media.
He and his uncle, Samuel Bush, applied. The New York-based company, AJ Melino & Associates, never checked their credentials, including a background check or whether they were licensed for security work through the state, he said.
The employer also did not provide a W-2 form, according to both men.
“They told us to show up in all black, and that’s what we did,” the older Bush said.
The uncle and nephew, both Houston residents, are suing the subcontractor security company in connection with the fateful festival Nov. 5 that left 10 people dead and several more hurt amid rapper Travis Scott’s chaotic performance. Their suit contends the company failed to provide a safe workplace environment or properly train them for what would devolve into one of the deadliest concerts in history.
The day started around 5:30 a.m., with the two not knowing whom to report to at the NRG Park grounds or how much they would be paid. It ended with Samuel Bush, 46, having a broken hand and injured back, which he suffered when trying to pluck people from the crushing crowd. His nephew, 25, suffered shoulder and back pain during the fatal show.
Two weeks after the ordeal, an unspecified sum arrived Friday in their Cash App. Lawyer Larry Taylor said it was a fourth of what they were likely owed. Another security guard had told the younger Bush that they would be paid a $30 hourly rate.
“That’s still one of the things that’s still in dispute,” Taylor said.
The nephew said he had a screenshot of the social media posting that attracted him to the job, but Taylor declined to provide a
copy.
As for duties, the men were eventually told to keep people from entering the festival grounds without a ticket — which happened, regardless, throughout the day. Droves of people hopped fences and rushed barricades to get inside the Astroworld grounds.
“They told us where to stand, not to let people run in and try to be safe — not lay any hands on anybody,” the younger Bush said. “As far as training, there was no training.”
The two were later moved to the concert area ahead of Scott’s performance. The nephew escorted some celebrities and performers in and out of the stage area — and prevented fans from touching them. The crowd, as Scott took to the stage, became overwhelming.
“That’s when things got bad, when the crowds started stampeding — just doing whatever they had to do to get in,” the uncle said.
He recalled a woman, petite in stature, unable to get out of the crowd. He tried to help her, but he was unable to because of his hand.
“She was screaming and begging and crying for help, saying that she couldn’t breathe and that her friend may have been on the ground or something,” the uncle continued. “As much as I tried, I could not even get to her.”
The younger Bush said he helped people out of the chaotic crowd before Scott’s performance. But
some fans declined his offer to help.
“I kept begging fans, ‘Can I please help you out?’ ” he continued. “They didn’t want to be helped. They wanted to see Travis.”
As the rapper’s performance went on, even as authorities declared a mass casualty incident, the younger Bush witnessed medics trying desperately to perform CPR on people who appeared lifeless, according to the lawsuit.
Scott is identified as one of the defendants, in addition to the Austin-based Scoremore and Live Nation Worldwide — the companies that promoted and organized the festival. The lawsuit places blame for the deaths and injuries on “greed and motivation for profits” and goes on to elaborate on past events where Scott has “incited a chaotic scene or riot.”
The security company did not respond to requests for comment on how it prepared its employees for the Astroworld Festival job.
The company, on its website, states that it provides “airtight security services for national and international sports events, music functions, concerts, beauty pageants, product launches and celebrity-hosted parties.” Its clients include MTV, Viacom and VH1.
The Houston men are seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million to cover costs, such as damages and attorney fees.