Two people died after apparently overdosing during a Maryland music festival, and 20 others were taken to the hospital, many for drug-related reasons, police said.
Tyler Fox Viscardi, 20, was brought to Howard County General Hospital around 9 p.m. Friday from the Mad Decent Block Party, which was being held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. He died that night.
Viscardi was a junior at the University of Maryland, according to the Diamondback student newspaper. He was from Raleigh, North Carolina.
“We are saddened by the loss of a member of our university community, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the University of Maryland student who passed away this weekend," a university spokeswoman said. "We are keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Howard County Police announced Sunday that a second person had died at Howard County General after being transported there from the concert venue.
That victim was a 17-year-old boy from Woodbridge, Virginia. His name is not being released at the family's request.
Police said a total of 20 people were taken to the hospital from the concert, many for drug-related symptoms.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
It doesn't appear that the two young men who died knew each other, but authorities said Sunday that they believe both of them took MDMA, sometimes called ecstasy or Molly.
Police said they will wait for autopsies and toxicology results to confirm those suspicions.
They also issued 50 citations for underage drinking during the event, and made three arrests: two for assault and a third for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The Mad Decent Block Party is a music festival that travels throughout the country. Investigators have learned that other venues have seen similar circumstances at these events.
"We were shocked and saddened when we heard the news from yesterday's event at Merriweather Post [Pavilion] in Maryland," read a statement on the music festival's website. "Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this. Right now, we are waiting along with everyone else for more information."
As the summer concert season continues, police are urging concertgoers to refrain from illegal activities such as drug use and underage drinking. Shows are regularly staffed with police, both uniformed and undercover, to deter and identify illegal activity.
