Fred Livingston Jr.Photo: GoFundMe

Fred Livingston Jr.

Just before 8:00 p.m., and only minutes after atornado warning was issued, officials received calls about a roof collapse at the venue, Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said during a press conference. At the time, there were about 260 people inside for the evening’s heavy metal concert.

One person, Fred Livingston Jr., died as a result of the collapse, while about40 people were injured, officials said Saturday, according to CBS News. Schadle said that the majority of those who were injured had mild to minor injuries, but that two people had life-threatening injuries and two had severe injuries.

An initial assessment showed that a tornado caused the damage to the structure, per the outlet.

Inside the Apollo.Illinois Emergency Management Agency/Facebook

1 Dead, 40 Injured After Roof Collapses at Packed Theater During Storm in Illinois

“It happened so fast, man,” Alex told the station. “I couldn’t save him.”

Dan Zaccard, the emergency management director for Boone County, told NBC Chicago that the man was found “under the debris” and that “some of the concertgoers drug him out.”

Sadly, “there was absolutely nothing we could do,” Zaccard said.

Speaking withThe New York Times, Zaccard said that Livingston was foundwearing a concert shirt.

Damage at the Apollo Theatre.MATT MARTON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Damage at the Apollo Theatre following a tornado in Belvidere, Illinois, USA, 01 April 2023. A man was killed and more than two dozen injured after the roof of the Apollo Theatre collapsed on 31 March evening, according to fire officials. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed across a huge area of the center of the US a week after at least 25 people were killed in Mississippi after a tornado and severe weather outbreak. A man killed and more than two dozen injured following a tornado in Belvidere, USA - 01 Apr 2023

Fernanda Lira, the lead singer and bass guitarist of that band Crypta, told the outlet Livingston was “the only fan who bought a t-shirt from us” that night.

“We climb on stage and we want to make people smile, you know? And, in the end this tragedy happened, and knowing this small detail about this guy, it truly breaks my heart,” Lira added.

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Loved ones said Livingston was “loving, selfless, funny and just an all around badass.”

“He brought so much love and laughter to our family. The memories we all have will never be forgotten and will forever be in our hearts,” reads a message on a GoFundMe set up on behalf of his family, including his three sons.

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As of Monday, the page has raised over $38,000, which has left family members “speechless.”

“We are so incredibly grateful for all of the kind words, donations, prayers and good thoughts. Your outpouring love has given our family such comfort in knowing we are cared and loved for,” the fundraiser’s organizer wrote in an update. “Thank you to all of our family, friends, the Belvidere community, the Metal community, and to the people from all around the world for the love and support you have shown our family. Words can truly never express how grateful we all are.”

Morbid Angel, one of the bands scheduled to play on Friday, shared their"heartfelt condolencesto the family and friends of our deceased brother in Metal."

In addition to sharing the link to Livingston’s GoFundMe page, the band passed along a message from his niece, Brittany.

“Our family is beyond devastated. We can’t help comprehend how this could happen to us,” his niece wrote, noting that anybody who wanted to pay their respects could attend a vigil at the Apollo Theater on Sunday.

MATT MARTON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Workers look at the fallen marquee outside the Apollo Theatre following a tornado in Belvidere, Illinois, USA, 01 April 2023. A man was killed and more than two dozen injured after the roof of the Apollo Theatre collapsed on 31 March evening, according to fire officials. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed across a huge area of the center of the US a week after at least 25 people were killed in Mississippi after a tornado and severe weather outbreak. A man killed and more than two dozen injured following a tornado in Belvidere, USA - 01 Apr 2023

In their initial post on Friday, the band wrote that their show had been canceled after a “tornado hit the venue,” causing the roof over part of the stage as well as the venue’s marquee to collapse.

“We ask anyone who is still traveling to the venue to please seek shelter and stay safe. We are currently sheltering in place, and want to extend our support and hope that everyone at the show tonight is safe,” they wrote. “Right now our focus is on making sure everyone in the venue tonight is ok and gets home.”

Over the weekend, Boone County Sheriff’s Office passed along their “deepest condolences” to Livingston’s family and said their"thoughts and prayers are also with those who are still battling their injuries."

Workers cleaning up damage at the Apollo Theatre.MATT MARTON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Workers cleanup debris following a tornado in Belvidere, Illinois, USA, 01 April 2023. A man was killed and more than two dozen injured after the roof of the Apollo Theatre collapsed on 31 March evening, according to fire officials. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed across a huge area of the center of the US a week after at least 25 people were killed in Mississippi after a tornado and severe weather outbreak. A man killed and more than two dozen injured following a tornado in Belvidere, USA - 01 Apr 2023

Officials say the city will work to preserve the Apollo Theater, which was condemned Saturday due to structural damage, per CBS News.

The damage to the Apollo Theater came asstorms struck at least eight statesacross the South and Midwest, according toThe Hill. As of Monday,at least 32 people died, per Reuters.

source: people.com