HPD chief walks back Astroworld Fest security guard injection claim

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Reports of an Astroworld Festival security guard injected with a needle during the deadly event have turned out to be untrue, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.

Finner made the comments during a Wednesday briefing four days after the initial claim that the guard lost consciousness after he was stuck in the neck.

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Eight people died and hundreds were injured at the event, and at least two people Wednesday remained in critical condition at hospitals.

The security guard at the center of the sticking claim was mentioned by Finner during an earlier briefing on Saturday. Finner said the worker was trying to grab or restrain someone during the melee when he felt a prick on his neck before he lost consciousness.

"We did locate that security guard. His story is not consistent with that. He says he was struck in the head," Finner said Wednesday. "He went unconscious. He woke up in the security tent. He says that no one injected drugs in him."

The new information comes as Finner defended his department's response to preparations for the event, as well as the disaster that unfolded.

Five days after the Astroworld Fest tragedy, Houston police Chief Troy Finner clarified a detail involving reports of a security guard who may have been injected by someone with a syringe.

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