INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis police say two men have been arrested after about two dozen people apparently overdosed on drugs in or around a men’s homeless shelter in downtown Indianapolis.
Police identified the two Friday as 63-year-old Melvin Cannon and 59-year-old Nathaniel Davis. Jail records show they face multiple drug-related charges including possession of and dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance.
Indianapolis emergency medical crews say they responded to at least 27 overdoses over 24 hours in the area.
Wheeler Mission chief development officer Steve Kerr says 17 shelter guests overdosed inside or nearby. He says they’re suspected to have taken so-bath salts, which are chemicals that mimic the effects of cocaine and other powerful drugs.
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It wasn’t immediately clear if Cannon or Davis have attorneys.