BUFFALO, N.Y. — Family and friends said goodbye Tuesday to one of the victims of a stampede at a concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester.
Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo, leaves behind a 3-year-old son and is remembered as having a love for life.
"She loved music," said Paige Williams, Belton’s godsister. "She loved dancing. She loved having a good time. She worked very hard.”
“She was very beautiful inside and out,” said Talisha McClain, Belton’s godmother. “Always helping people. Always there for people.”
Brandy Miller of Rochester and Aisha Stephens of Syracuse, both 35, were also killed that night, while eight others were injured. Belton’s godfamily said they hope her death comes with changes to concert venues to increase safety.
The Main Street Armory released the following statement:
"The Main Street Armory, Scott Donaldson, and his team are devastated by the events that occurred on March 5, 2023. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones of Rhondesia Belton, Brandy Miller and Aisha Stephens. Over the years, the Armory has successfully hosted hundreds of events. The Armory is confident that when the investigation concludes it will be determined that the Armory complied with all applicable codes, regulations, and laws, as it has in the past. The City took unilateral action in denying the Armory’s renewal for an entertainment license and inaccurately stated that Scott Donaldson simply “failed” to appear at a meeting requested by the City to be held on March 8, 2023. Mr. Donaldson’s attorney contacted the City on March 7, 2023, and requested that the meeting be adjourned until later in the week, or early the following week as he was engaged in another legal matter. The City summarily dismissed this reasonable request and decided to deny the renewal of the entertainment license, a license that the Armory possessed for years. Mr. Donaldson, on behalf of the Armory, cooperated fully with the City on the date of the incident, and continues to do so by consenting to the City’s request to inspect the premises which is scheduled to occur on a date chosen by the City. The thought of hosting another concert at the Armory while the families, friends and loved ones of these women grieve remains the furthest thing from Mr. Donaldson’s mind. Again, the Armory and its team’s thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and all members of the community impacted by Sunday’s events."
The incident remains under investigation.
