Jackson Lee working to make sure Astroworld Festival tragedy 'never happens again in our community or in the nation'

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Jackson lee heights high school
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee outside Heights High School where a student was killed during the Astroworld Festival. | Twitter

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) visited Heights High School Nov. 9, where Brianna Rodriguez, one of eight killed at the Astroworld Festival, attended classes.

Rodriguez, a 16-year-old student from Heights High School, was confirmed as one of the fatalities on social media by the Heights' band program only a day after the tragic concert, according to Click2Houston. In tribute, Heights High School was bathed in pink in memory of Rodriguez. 

"Yesterday I visited Heights High School where I spoke to students about Astroworld Fest and student Brianna Rodriguez who was killed. With so many moving parts involved in this tragedy, families who have lost loved ones deserve to have all of the facts regarding this catastrophe so that this can help them heal. I will continue to work with federal authorities, federal representatives and local representatives in order to ensure this never happens again in our community or in the nation," Jackson Lee said in a tweet.

Rodriguez was one of two high school students who died during rapper Travis Scott's concert at NRG Park, according to KHOU. Fourteen-year-old Memorial High School freshman John Hilgert was also confirmed among those dead by Spring Branch Independent School District. 

“Brianna was someone who performed with the band and was someone who could always make anyone smile,” the school wrote, according to Click2Houston. “Although she’s gone and cannot perform with us, we know she’d want to still enjoy our time in heights.”

Also killed at the concert were University of Dayton mechanical engineering technology student Franco Patino and Southern Illinois University Carbondale student Jacob Jurinek, who was Patino's best friend. Basil Baig said his brother, Danish, a North Texas native, died from the surging crowds by trying to protect his fiancée, according to KHOU.

Laredo resident Rudy Peña was also confirmed among the dead, alongside  Axel Acosta from Washington State, whose surviving relatives hired Houston attorney Tony Buzbee to represent them in their legal battle against event organizers. Madison Dubiski, of Cypress, was the last victim to be confirmed, according to KHOU.