Live Nation, its subsidiary Insomniac Holdings, and several security companies are facing a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with an armed concertgoer shooting last year at their EDM event.
The parents and siblings of Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, two Seattle nurses who were killed at the 2023 Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge EDM festival, have filed the wrongful death lawsuit.
Filed in King County, Washington, the lawsuit seeks to hold the entities accountable for alleged deficient conduct and lax security protocols. The Plaintiffs are represented by Brian Panish, Spencer Lucas, and Hunter Norton of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP as well as by co-counsel Kevin Boyle of Boyle Law.
“Live Nation has the means and the duty to make sure security is the highest priority for their concert patrons. Never should someone’s life be taken so senselessly and tragically at a music event,” said the Escamilla and Ruiz families in a joint statement. “We hope filing this lawsuit sends a message to Live Nation and their associates that they are responsible for the deaths of Brandy and Josilyn. They are responsible for our broken and shattered lives. Our families will never recover from this loss, but we do not want their deaths to be in vain. This could have and should have been prevented.”
Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz were attending Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge when they were shot by fellow concertgoer James M. Kelly, on June 17, 2023. The shooter had ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, retrieved a handgun and ammunition from his vehicle which he’d parked at The Gorge Campground, and proceeded to open fire, striking several people and killing both Brandy and Josilyn, who were walking nearby.
As alleged in the complaint, Live Nation and The Gorge had strict policies prohibiting the possession of drugs and weapons on its premises and campgrounds.
Plaintiff Lily Luksich joins this lawsuit, represented by Tomás Gahan, Felix Luna, and Paul Sewell of PWRFL.
Read the complaint here. Deadline has reached out to Live Nation for comment.