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.