Austin, Texas – Following a concerning surge in overdoses in downtown Austin, details from an arrest affidavit shed light on two individuals identified as persons of interest in the ongoing investigation by the Austin Police Department (APD) and Austin-Travis County EMS. The authorities have been actively looking into the sudden increase in overdoses, working to uncover the root cause of the troubling incidents.
Responding to suspected overdose calls that started around 9 a.m. on April 29 in downtown Austin, APD officers and ATCEMS personnel found themselves addressing multiple calls clustered within close proximity throughout the day, as documented in the affidavit.
Two individuals were apprehended in connection with the series of overdoses, with one of them identified as Johnny Lee Wright, aged 55, and facing charges for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon – a third-degree felony. He is currently represented by a court-appointed attorney, with ongoing investigations into the matter.
The investigation was aided by the APD Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and its High Activity Location Observation (H.A.L.O.) cameras strategically placed in over 40 locations in downtown Austin. The footage from these cameras played a crucial role in identifying potential suspects involved in the distribution of narcotics linked to the overdose incidents.
Investigators noted that Wright and the other individual were known in the downtown area as narcotics dealers, with Wright having a history of previous felony convictions, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The second individual, yet to be publicly identified, was arrested on a possession of a controlled substance charge.
The arrest of these individuals marked a significant milestone, with ATCEMS declaring an end to the overdose surge on Friday after a week that saw a total of 79 suspected overdose incidents, resulting in nine deaths and the distribution of 438 doses of Narcan, an overdose-reversal drug.
Efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the distribution of narcotics in downtown Austin underscore the commitment of local law enforcement to address the issue and ensure the safety and well-being of the community. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or illegal activity to help prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.