Austin, Texas – Following a sudden surge in overdoses in downtown Austin, authorities identified two individuals as persons of interest in the investigation. The Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS are working together to determine the cause of the surge.
The suspected overdose calls began around 9 a.m. on April 29, prompting a swift response from APD officers and ATCEMS personnel. Throughout the day, multiple overdose incidents were reported in close proximity to each other, as detailed in the arrest affidavit.
APD later confirmed the detention of two persons of interest in connection with the series of overdoses. One of the individuals, identified as Johnny Lee Wright, 55, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third-degree felony. Wright is currently represented by a court-appointed attorney as investigations continue.
By Friday, ATCEMS announced the conclusion of the overdose surge, reporting a total of 79 suspected overdose incidents, nine deaths, and the distribution of 438 doses of Narcan from Monday to Friday. This significant increase in overdoses has raised concerns within the community.
The identification of the persons of interest was made possible through the use of the APD Real Time Crime Center’s High Activity Location Observation (H.A.L.O.) cameras placed strategically throughout downtown Austin. Halting hand-to-hand transactions captured on camera linked the suspects to the distribution of narcotics leading to overdoses.
According to court records, Wright and the other individual were familiar to officers working in the downtown area as known narcotics dealers. Wright’s criminal history includes several prior felony convictions, with the most recent offense related to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The second person, not yet identified by authorities, was taken into custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance. Wright remains in custody at the Travis County Jail on a $10,000 bond as the investigation unfolds. The use of surveillance technology played a crucial role in uncovering the potential suspects behind the overdose surge, highlighting the importance of law enforcement tools in combating drug-related incidents.