CITY OF DEL RIO POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE:
COURTESY TO THE 830 TIMES
August 29, 2022
Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the Del Rio Police Department via the City of Del Rio’s Communications and Marketing Department. The press release has not been edited and no information has been redacted or added to its contents.
On August 28th, 2022, at approximately 9:36 PM, the Del Rio Police Department Patrol Division was notified of a 911 call reporting several unresponsive subjects at an apartment located at the 400 block of Ela Street in Del Rio, Texas.
Upon arrival, patrol officers encountered several concerned relatives and neighbors at the apartment complex. After making entry into the apartment, officer’s discovered two unresponsive females and an unresponsive male subject. The male subject showed signs of life and was subsequently transported to Val Verde Regional Medical Center for further treatment by on-scene paramedics.
Officers observed suspected narcotics on a table and due to the potential hazard of the unknown substance, the officers exited the apartment escorting family and friends that were at the apartment.
The DRPD Criminal Investigation Division responded and took over the investigation, while patrolmen maintained security of the outer perimeter of the scene. Laughlin Air Force Base Fire Department HazMat team was requested to assist at the scene. Firemen and Detectives, wearing protective HAZMAT suits, entered the scene to continue the investigation.
Additional officers arrived on scene to assist with crowd control as family and friends wished to enter the apartment. Officers were able to disperse the crowd with no further incident and evacuated surrounding apartments due to the unknown potentially dangerous substance.
A sample of the substance located on the scene was tested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Preliminary tests were positive for cocaine and showed traces of Fentanyl. Additional samples of the substance were collected for laboratory testing.
The two females were subsequently pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Antonio Faz and were removed from the scene by Trinity Mortuary. Justice of the Peace Antonio Faz ordered an autopsy for both deceased females. The male subject is still undergoing medical treatment.
The Del Rio Police Department is actively investigating every single possible lead with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to find the source of these narcotics. DRPD will continue to commit resources towards the investigation and arrests of offenders who manufacture, traffic, and distribute these deadly narcotics. If you have any information on the source of these narcotics, please contact the Del Rio Police Department Investigative Division at 830-774-8591.
It is crucial that people with substance use disorder are aware of the heightened risks of fentanyl and that they get access to harm reduction and care services for addiction. If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at their National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
On behalf of the City of Del Rio Police Department and the City of Del Rio, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to the friends and families affected by this tragedy. As more information becomes available, we will inform the public as necessary.
