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Aisha Stephens: Venue's license revoked after third woman dies due to stampede at GloRilla's concert

Earlier, two women identified as Brandy Miller and Rhondesia Belton died at GloRilla's concert in Rochester, New York, on March 7

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK: A third individual has died from injuries sustained during a crowd crush at GloRilla's concert in Rochester over the weekend, police said on Thursday, March 9. Aisha Stephens, 35, of Syracuse was the most recent victim.

Earlier, two women died at her concert in Rochester, New York, on Sunday, March 7. They were have been identified as Brandy Miller, 32, of Rochester and Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo. 

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The rush was caused by when the crowd incorrectly thought it heard gunfire

The rush was caused by when the crowd incorrectly thought it heard gunfire, despite the fact that no such thing had occurred, according to investigators. Apart from the three deaths, several others were injured.

The Memphis musician, whose song 'FNF' (Let's Go) was nominated for best rap performance at Grammy Awards 2023, had finished performing before the incident occurred. She only heard about the stampede after she left the venue. "I am devastated and heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected," GloRilla tweeted. Earlier, after hearing about the stampede, she wrote, "I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf praying for everybody is ok."

The venue's license has since been revoked

The venue's license has since been revoked. The decision was taken after the owner failed to appear at a scheduled meeting with the police chief and the municipal attorney in Rochester on Wednesday, as per a report on BBC. 

"It is one step we can immediately take to ensure that the events of Sunday night are not repeated," said police chief David Smith. "The bottom line is that lives were lost and we need to take steps to make sure that no lives are lost in the future if this was indeed something that was preventable."

Aisha Stephens, as per a report, died on the same day when the venue's entertainment license was pulled down. As the investigation proceeds, fire and code enforcement officers are checking the structure and reviewing images and video footage from the event to see if any violations happened, New York Post reported. 

'She was selfless'

"When we think of her, we think of someone who never made excuses," Good Life Foundation Inc wrote about their team member Aisha. "Never complained. She adapted. She pulled through. She got children to where they needed to be because she was selfless. In all that she did in life, she placed others before herself. Her smile would light up our rooms. Even when she wasn’t happy about something she tried to smile around us."

"I didn't see anything but the whole crowd pushing everyone towards the bathroom like a wave pool," a fan recalled telling Rolling Stone about the crush. "I was literally being suffocated while trying to help people on the ground stand up. I heard a man literally say, 'F*** them, step on them.' "It was the most inhumane thing I have seen in my whole life and I am still having anxiety."

Victim Brandy Miller had decided to donate her organs

Brandy Miller, 32, the victim who died in the stampede, had decided to donate her organs when she died. Her sister said her heart, kidneys, and liver were used to save four lives. Doctors and nurses lined the hallway at Rochester's Strong Hospital to honor the 32-year-old.