STS9 concert in Asheville cut short as emergency workers treat whacked-out concert-goers

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Ashvegas: The City You Love. The News You Want.Update Oct. 27: Here’s the STS9 official response to the craziness in Asheville:

Hey all, we’re real sorry about last night in Asheville. We were indeed asked to wrap things up a little bit early due to some folks at the show that needed some extra medical attention. We hope everyone is feeling better today. It’s a good reminder to keep an eye on our friends and family out there and try to help everyone make solid decisions. Our thoughts go out to those that need it most right now.

And here’s the press release the Asheville Police Department issued Sunday afternoon about 4 p.m.:

On 10/25/2014 at approximately 10:15 PM, the Asheville Police Department responded to a call for assistance at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium located at 87 Haywood St. Seven people had overdosed during the Sound Tribe Sector 9 concert and were unresponsive. Buncombe County EMS transported the individuals to Mission Hospital.

Two officers were assaulted with bottles and other debris while attempting to assist those needing help. At least 12 officers were utilized to disperse the crowd of 1,400 and clear the streets.

APD arrested the following individuals during or immediately after the concert ended.

-Jayson Anthony Calvo, 25/ Outstanding warrant for DWI/Possession of marijuana/ Narcotics charges pending lab results/ $20,000 bond

-Rhett Jay Henderson, 25/ Intoxicated and disruptive/ Resisting arrest/

-Francis Dale Ryan, 38/ Possession of marijuana/ Resisting arrest

-Rachel Ann Dotson, 23/ Possession of marijuana/ Resisting arrest

Original post Oct. 26: An electronic music concert at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville was cut short on Saturday night after emergency workers were called in to treat several sick STS9 concert-goers. I’m tracking down details, but the unconfirmed information is that emergency workers treated seven people for possible drug overdoses.

WLOS reports that seven people were treated, and that two remain in critical condition this morning.

Police were assaulted with bottles and debris when the concert was stopped and several rows were cleared to treat the people who were sick, according to once source. (See the unruly crowd in the video link below.) There were reportedly 1,400 people in attendance, with 12 officers there to handle the crowd, according to one source, who added that police were called in from all districts to assist. There was only one officer at the show when it started, according to the source.

A thread on Asheville Reddit reports that the drug ketamine was floating around the crowd. It’s a drug commonly used as a horse tranquilizer. Other reports are that people were sold/using PCP. Here’s one comment:

I tend bar near the Civic Center in downtown Asheville. Apparently, some type of designer drug was sold throughout the crowd under the guise of ketamine. Many people were hospitalized, including an acquaintance of mine. I saw a guy come into where I work with his friends after the show. He could barely walk. His friends were holding him up and trying to make him drink water. He was in bad shape. The show had to be cut short for good reason…lives were at stake

Here are two more comments from another thread:

– I saw several EMT’s and 5 ambulances were also outside the venue when I arrived. Half way into the first set I saw someone being carried out by an EMT and APD by his feet and armpits. I was surprised by his lack of struggle until I saw his face. Kids were dropping left and right and many others were waaaay too fucked up.
Like · 4 hrs · Edited

– Um. there were ambulances as soon as we got there. I’m grateful they played for as long as they did considering what happened.

I’ve got calls out to officials. If anyone has more detail, please leave a comment or send me an email.

There’s video of the concert here at jahphone.com, shows lights coming up and announcement being made.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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14 Comments

  1. Goon October 28, 2014

    It was MXE passed off as K. Different dosage.

    Reply
  2. lori October 27, 2014

    There were empty cups and water bottles thrown. I was dragged out for talking to sound guys. It was so stupid..Asheville cops totally over acted

    Reply
  3. anonymous October 27, 2014

    Ketamine is most commonly used for humans in pre and post surgical anaesthesia. It is also used by veterinarians. Stop with the scare tactics disinfo. And check Wikipedia. The drug these poor kids were sold is not ketamine. There are NO known overdose levels for ketamine taken by itself.

    Reply
  4. Not an idiot reporter October 26, 2014

    The report on bottles thrown is complete fabrication. I was there until the end and I didn’t see a single person throw anything at police or do anything CLOSE to violent. There WAS an officer walking around with his billy club in hand but the concert goers were more confused and frustrated than anything because no FACTS were being told and the show ended ubruptly. When reporting on a VERY serious issue of overdosing please report with FACTS in the future rather than blatant hearsay. I don’t see a single quote from an officer or medical professional and your cited source is reddit. Is this considered reporting now? Just wander by a concert and start spreading unfounded rumors after going to a website that’s ALL rumor with no facts?? If you don’t know what’s going on, please don’t stir the pot of fear about what’s happening. Or get a job that you can actually perform with a moderate level of professionalism.

    Reply
    1. Melissa October 27, 2014

      The press release, put out by APD, says bottles and debris were thrown at officers.

      Reporting what the police have told the media is not spreading rumors. It’s stating what the officials said.

      Complain to the police if you disagree with their version of the facts, which they released to Ashvegas, WLOS and the Citizen-Times on Sunday:

      “From Asheville police: Asheville – On 10/25/2014 at approximately 10:15 PM, the Asheville Police Department responded to a call for assistance at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium located at 87 Haywood St. Seven people had overdosed during the Sound Tribe Sector 9 concert and were unresponsive. Buncombe County EMS transported the individuals to Mission Hospital.

      Two officers were assaulted with bottles and other debris while attempting to assist those needing help. At least 12 officers were utilized to disperse the crowd of 1,400 and clear the streets.
      APD arrested the following individuals during or immediately after the concert ended.

      Jayson Anthony Calvo, 25
      Outstanding warrant for DWI
      Possession of marijuana
      Narcotics charges pending lab results
      $20,000 bond

      Rhett Jay Henderson, 25
      Intoxicated and disruptive
      Resisting arrest

      Francis Dale Ryan, 38
      Possession of marijuana
      Resisting arrest

      Rachel Ann Dotson, 23
      Possession of marijuana
      Resisting arrest”

      Reply
  5. derp October 26, 2014

    It doesn’t say glass beer bottles. And K is a cat tranquilizer. Jeeze people.

    I hope everyone is okay.

    Reply
    1. anonymous October 27, 2014

      Ketamine is an anaesthesia used for humans more often than animals and has no known overdose levels when administered alone. Check your Wikipedia. These poor kids were not sold ketamine.

      Reply
  6. Will October 26, 2014

    I was there on the same row as 6 people who took something that I believe they thought was K and indeed was not. Several minutes later they were convulsing, unresponsive; one guy had drool leaking down his shirt and his eyes wouldn’t move. Police came and cleared our rows out so they could look for the drugs. Another guy with his eyes popping out of his skull looked like he had no clue what was happening to him as police wrestled him out of the arena. Scary stuff, please stay safe and know what you’re doing.

    Reply
  7. Steven October 26, 2014

    wow, who would have known buying mystery powder from some drainbow in the parking lot would be unreliable? Seriously, don’t take candy from strangers

    Reply
  8. Sue Huelbig October 26, 2014

    This is an out right lie… I was told by the BAss player HERSELF>>> that it WAS NOT DRUGS.. I WAS THREATNED BY OFFICER BYRD WITH A PEPPER SPRAY GUN .. HE WOULD NOT GIVE ME HIS BADGE NUMBER AS OTHER OFFICERS DID… I HAVE A REPORT INTO THE ASHEVILLE POLICE DEPT REGARDING THIS EVENT… LT. SHAWN POUND. I WILL BE GOING THERE ON MONDAY.. IF YOU WANT TO CONTRACT ME I WILL GIVE YOU MY FULL REPORT… THIS IS A LIE AND YOU ARE PUBLISHING IT… in the video did you see anyone throw anything at a cop.. really because they didn’t… it is true.. I spoke with Lt Crawford at five am.. she did not mention any bottles being thrown.. so I would recheck my facts if I were you… we were terrorized by the Asheville police…
    Sue Huelbig

    Reply
  9. Melissa October 26, 2014

    I’ve seen people sneak beer bottles, cans, whatever, into shows there (let alone the drugs they bring in). It’s not unbelievable that out of 1,400 people, some of them did throw things at police officers, including contraband bottles.

    Reply
  10. Soni Pitts October 26, 2014

    Anonymous – Well, it’s not like the were selling ketamine either. My guess is the bottles came in the same way the drugs did.

    Reply
    1. Melissa October 26, 2014

      Touché.

      Reply
  11. Anonymous October 26, 2014

    Didn’t see any cops getting assaulted.. And they didn’t sell beer in bottles so I’m not sure where all these flying beer bottles came from.

    Reply

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