As reported by the New York Post, Houston’s police chief has back-pedaled on a statement he made over the weekend regarding an Astroworld Festival security being pricked in the neck by a needle.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (November 10), Chief Troy Finner clarified the security guard's story, saying: "We did locate that security guard. His story’s not consistent with that (being injected). He says he was struck on his head … he went unconscious … he woke up in the security tent."
"He says that no one injected drugs in him," Troy added.
Original story:
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner revealed that a security guard at Astroworld was possibly pricked by a needle from an unknown individual.
The report was confirmed at a press conference on Saturday, November 6, set up to answer questions about the deadly crowd surge that took place during Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival the day before.
Eight people in the crowd were killed, including a 14-year-old child, as fans rushed to the stage.
Per Billboard, Finner said at the press conference: "We do have a report of a security officer, according to the medical staff that treated him last night, that he was reaching over to restrain or grab a citizen and he felt a prick in his neck."
The needle prick rendered the security guard unconscious until he was treated by medics with Narcan, which is typically used to treat opioid overdoses, and was later revived. Doctors treating the security guard later spotted evidence of an injection mark in the man's neck.
As reported by TMZ, Houston authorities are looking for evidence that the eight people who lost their lives at the festival went into cardiac arrest as a result of an individual randomly injecting festival-goers with a syringe.
Also at the news conference, Lina Hidalgo, judge for Harris County where NRG Stadium is situated, said: "I and my team have been on the phone with all of the relevant agencies trying to untangle as much as we can about what may have led to this. The roles like Live Nation, the City of Houston and Harris County had in any of this."
Hidalgo added: "It may well be that this tragedy is the result of unpredictable events of circumstances coming together that couldn’t have possibly been avoided. But until we determine that, I will ask the tough questions."
Travis Scott has since released a statement regarding the tragedy, saying: "I'm absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival."
He continued: "Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of live. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and NRG Park for their immediate response and support."