2 Dead, 20 Hospitalized After Mad Decent Block Party in Columbia, Maryland Near UMD
ByTwo people have died and 20 have been hospitalized from apparent drug-related causes during an all-day concert event called the "Mad Decent Block Party" in Columbia, Md.
According to CBS D.C., Tyler Fox Viscardi, a 20-year-old of Raleigh, N.C., and an unidentified 17-year-old male from Woodbridge, Va. both died Howard County General Hospital from apparent drug overdoses. Viscardi was pronounced dead around 9 p.m. Friday and the unidentified minor Sunday after being in critical condition since that day.
Neither cause of death was confirmed, as authorities are still waiting on toxicology reports.
The Howard County Police Department said in a news release a majority of the 20 hospitalizations were drug-related and that they issued 50 citations for underage drinking. They also arrested three people for three seperate charges of domestic assault, assault of an officer and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The concert event was held in close proximity to the University of Maryland (UMD), about a half-hour drive. Though it was not confirmed that either victim was a student, it is likely that the concert was heavily attended by UMD students.
Mad Decent tweeted their condolences after learning of what happened after the concert at the Pavilion. The concert was made up of mostly recording artists in the electronic dance music (EDM) genre of music. Mad Decent lists performers like Diplo and Sleigh Bells among its roster of acts.
A popular genre among college-age students, EDM concerts have generated a reputation for how the attendees behave. While the concert runners do not encourage it, the attendees tend to bring drugs and alcohol to the event.
Concertgoers are at an increased risk of overdose at these concerts because it is often hard to access basic medical attention. Dehydration is another major risk factor since water can run out fast at a large event and it is easy to get trapped in a sea of attendees.