Austin, Texas – Authorities in Austin provided detailed information regarding two individuals who are being investigated as persons of interest in a recent surge of overdoses in downtown Austin. The investigation into the spike in overdoses is being carried out by the Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS.
According to reports, the Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS were alerted to suspected overdose incidents starting at 9 a.m. on April 29 in downtown Austin. Throughout the day, additional overdose calls within close proximity were addressed by officials, indicating a concentrated area of concern.
Two persons of interest were taken into custody by the APD in connection to the string of overdoses. One of the individuals, identified as Johnny Lee Wright, 55, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, a felony offense.
An extensive investigation, involving the use of the APD Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and High Activity Location Observation (HALO) cameras in downtown Austin, helped authorities identify the individuals suspected of distributing narcotics linked to the overdoses. The HALO cameras captured footage showing transactions between the persons of interest and Wright, indicating a possible link to the narcotics distribution.
Both individuals were reportedly known to law enforcement as narcotics dealers operating in the downtown area. Wright, with a history of felony convictions, was held in the Travis County Jail on a $10,000 bond. The other individual was taken into custody on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Authorities declared an end to the overdose surge on Friday, with a total of 79 suspected overdose incidents, nine fatalities, and the distribution of 438 doses of Narcan reported between Monday and Friday. Investigations are ongoing as officials work to determine the extent of the narcotics distribution network in downtown Austin.