SXSW will proceed despite fatalities, one victim named
In the wake of last night’s (AEST) vehicular manslaughter at South By Southwest festival in Austin, which left two people dead, a press conference was held at the scene to discuss today’s proceedings.
SXSW Managing Director Roland Swenson first expressed his sympathy for the 25 victims of an intoxicated driver who plowed through festival attendees on 9th and 11th Streets on Red River. The man, identified as 21-year-old Rashad Charjuan Owens was attempting to escape police at a DWI checkpoint. Swenson has decided today’s planned showcases, screenings and panel discussions will go ahead as normal however individual venues would deliberate independently on whether to cancel or postpone events.
Billboard attended this morning’s press conference and described Swenson as ‘visibly emotional’.
“We feel we have an obligation to the people who have traveled here from all over the world,” he said, telling press all workers will be adhering to a normal schedule.
You can read Roland Swenson’s full statement here.
11th street venue The Mohawk have cancelled their House of Vans showcase, which was set to feature Fucked Up, Cloud Nothings and Pains of Being Pure at Heart today.
“We are working together with SXSW and city officials on next steps,” The Mohawk Tweeted. “We will be cancelling all events scheduled for this afternoon. Tonight’s events are still pending. We will communicate information as it becomes available. Our hearts are broken, thank you, as always, for the love and support.”
Also addressing the media this morning were Chiefs of Police, Fire and EMS departments, and Austin’s Mayor Lee Leffingwell. Police Chief Acevedo explained the drunken driver’s ‘intentional’ movements after evading police as well as his arrest. Acevedo told press the culprit exited his vehicle and was chased on foot by one officer who used a Taser to detain him.
“This is a selfish individual with no regard for other people,” Billboard quoted Acevedo. “We can be scared for a minute but I can tell you I saw the best of humanity come together to restore order. The investigation is ongoing and moving rapidly.”
A second press conference was later held where Acevedo said the festival should continue. “If you were to cancel events, it would be a victory for evil and not a victory for humanity,” Acevedo was quoted saying by Rolling Stone.
35-year-old father and international music agency employee Steven Craenmehr has been named as one of the two fatalities. Craenmehr was Creative Director for MassiveMusic, working out of the agency’s Amsterdam office. He was riding his bike near the intersection of 11th and Red River streets when he was struck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other fatality, a local woman who was riding a moped at the time, has not been identified to media yet.
Rashad Charjuan Owens was arraigned earlier today with two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. Owens was arrested in Alaska in 2011 for driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident. He was charged for the DUI but prosecutors let him off on the fleeing charge.