Travis Scott and Drake 'Found Out' About Astroworld Fatalities at Afterparty, Says Source

Eight people died at Astroworld Festival on Friday night in Houston

Travis Scott and Drake attended an Astroworld afterparty at Dave and Buster's on Friday night — but made an abrupt exit after learning that fans had been killed during the show, according to a source close to Scott.

"After performing, Drake went straight to his already planned party with his crew at Dave and Buster's. Travis then came to Drake's party after his performance," the source tells PEOPLE. "Neither were aware of the severity of what happened. They found out at the party about the fatalities and left right away."

TMZ was first to report news of the afterparty, which occurred after eight people died and an estimated 300 more were injured following a crowd surge at the outdoor music festival at Houston's NRG Park.

Drake, Travis Scott
Drake, Travis Scott. Karwai Tang/WireImage; Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty

Though a source previously told PEOPLE Scott, 30, was unable to see what was happening during the show and thought that a fan had passed out, the "Sicko Mode" rapper is facing harsh criticism from festivalgoers who believe he was aware of the chaos unfolding before him.

RELATED VIDEO: 'He Couldn't Breathe': 9-Year-Old Crushed by Crowd at Astroworld Concert Now Clinging to Life

"I remember me being on the ground and the music stopping and I could hear him say, 'Y'all know what y'all came here for?' And you can hear everybody screaming out for help," David McGilver, 20, told PEOPLE. "And then the music just plays back again. I just don't understand how you can hear everyone screaming out for help and not stop the show at all."

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In one video shared to Twitter, Scott stops performing and points to an ambulance in the crowd, asking, "What the f— is that?" before continuing with the music.

In another, he continues to sing as he appears to watch an unconscious fan being helped by others in the crowd.

Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña previously told PEOPLE that his department started receiving calls that the situation was "escalating" just before 9:30 p.m. local time, and requested additional resources "because we knew that this was going to escalate."

Within 10 minutes of that request, the Houston Fire Department had declared a level two mass casualty event.

"We need to get to the bottom of what caused people to start surging..." Peña said. "But more than that, what's been on my mind is: how could it have been stopped? From my perspective, everybody at that concert had a responsibility, including the crowd, but certainly the security and even the artists. They have a lot of control over the crowd. I'm not saying that this is the answer, but I've seen it in other instances where the artist pauses the show, turns on the lights and says, 'Hey, we need to address whatever before we move forward.'"

Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival
Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival. Erika Goldring/WireImage

Scott, who has pledged to cover funeral costs for all victims, said in a statement that he is "absolutely devastated by what took place" on Friday night.

"My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life," the rapper said in a statement. "I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need."

Drake, meanwhile, weighed in on the tragedy in an Instagram statement Monday in which he said his "heart is broken" for the victims' families.

"I've spent the past few days trying to wrap my mind around this devastating tragedy. I hate resorting to this platform to express an emotion as delicate as grief but this is where I find myself," he wrote. "My heart is broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives and for anyone who is suffering. I will continue to pray for all of them, and will be of service in any way I can. May God be with you all."

John Hilgert, 14; Brianna Rodriguez, 16; Franco Patiño, 21; Axel Acosta, 21; Jacob Jurinek, 21; Rudy Peña, 23; Madison Dubiski, 23; and Danish Baig, 27, have been identified as the eight victims of the tragedy.

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Scott over the incident, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Among those was the family of Ezra Blount, a 9-year-old boy who was "nearly crushed to death" while attending the show with his father, according to the suit.

Ezra is currently in a medically induced coma as doctors attempt to alleviate trauma to his brain, liver and kidney.

The suit "alleges negligence in a great number of aspects, including crowd control, failure to provide proper medical attention, hiring, training, supervision and retention," according to a press release issued by personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Alex and Bob Hilliard, who filed the suit on behalf of the family.

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