ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A Buffalo woman is dead and nine other people are injured — including two in critical condition — after a trampling incident that occurred during a concert at the Main Street Armory, according to the Rochester Police Department.
As a concert featuring GloRilla and Finesse2tymes ended, RPD said that while audience members were heading towards the exit, the crowd began to surge and rush towards the exit.
The woman who died in the incident was identified as Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said Monday that Belton was a City employee who worked in the Traffic Violations Agency. She leaves behind a young son.
Brown released a statement Monday night:
“This is another difficult day for our City’s workforce and our entire community. I join all of our City employees in mourning the loss of one of our own. 33-yearold Rhondesia M. Belton was hired last year as a Junior Collections Officer in the City of Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency. Her family, friends and colleagues are now devasted and left to mourn this terrible loss after unfounded fears of gunfire at a concert in Rochester on Sunday sent a crowd rushing toward exits in a stampede that killed this lovely young woman. Rochester Police continue to investigate this totally unacceptable incident. I am thankful that Rochester Mayor Malik Evans has promised a thorough investigation to hold people accountable for what happened.”
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown
Police said that three women were found with significant injuries inside the venue. RPD, security, and EMS personnel began life-saving measures on the victims.
RPD said that there were reports of gunshots fired inside the venue, but investigators said none of the victims had injuries that were consistent with that of a shooting nor was there evidence of a shooting taking place at the Main Street Armory.
The three women were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, with Belton being pronounced dead. The other two are listed in critical condition. Seven other individuals were taken to the hospital in private vehicles with non-life-threatening injuries.
Mayor Evans said that, while it’s unclear to say what caused the incident, he intends to figure out what caused this, adding that concert-goers should not have to go to a concert with the fear of getting trampled.
“We are going to hold people accountable for what happened last night, period,” Mayor Evans said. “When you put on a concert in this city or anywhere around the country, you have to make sure that all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”
Mayor Evans said that multiple agencies will be investigating to determine the cause of the stampede. Chief David Smith asks anyone with information to call 911 or send photos and videos to psi@cityofrochester.gov.
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