Update – Fentanyl Exposure Was “Medical Incident” Sent 7 Inmates To Hospital From Jail In Everett, Washington

Editor’s Update Thursday 2:35 AM – Press Release from Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

Around 7:35 p.m., Corrections Deputies called a medical emergency at the Snohomish County Jail. A corrections deputy was inside a housing module when he observed an inmate displaying symptoms of an opiate overdose. The deputy called for jail medical staff to respond to the module. While jail staff were treating the first inmate, a second inmate in the same module began displaying similar signs of an overdose. A total of seven inmates began displaying physical signs of an overdose and were administered Narcan. Everett Fire responded and transported all seven inmates to Providence Regional Medical Center. All the inmates were conscious when transported and are expected to survive. Five of the inmates have since been released from the hospital and have returned to the jail.

The housing module where the medical emergencies occurred is currently locked down and all inmates are being strip searched.

The Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting a criminal investigation. At this time, detectives believe fentanyl was brought inside the facility by an inmate and have identified a suspect. Fentanyl was recovered from the suspect’s cell.

Due to the rise in fentanyl in our community, in early 2023, all Snohomish County Corrections Deputies began carrying Narcan while on duty.

Thank you to the quick actions of Snohomish County Corrections Deputies, Jail Medical personnel and our partners with the Everett Fire Department. This remains an active investigation.
 
Editor’s Update: 11:10 PM:
Just got briefed by Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office PIO Courtney O’Keefe who advised the seven inmates transported to the hospital were exposed to Fentanyl. As of this writing four have already been returned to the Jail. The investigation is being conducted by the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force who have identified a suspect believed to have brought fentanyl into the jail. O’Keefe says a corrections officer noticed an inmate in one of the modules was acting strangely and exhibiting signs of a Fentanyl overdose. The corrections officer called a medical alert and the inmate was given multiple doses of Narcan. Other inmates in that same module were also noticed to be having symptoms and at least two others were also given Narcan. The unit was locked down and ultimately seven inmates were transported to be checked out at the hospital. We’re expecting a full press release later overnight.

Initial report 9:30 PM:
About 8:00 PM Wednesday night Everett Fire received a call for a medical response to an inmate at the Snohomish County Jail in downtown Everett, Washington. Upon arrival, medics were informed that there were additional inmates affected.

The call was upgraded and additional resources were called in from South Snohomish Fire, Mukilteo Fire, Snohomish Regional Fire, Marysville Fire and Northwest Ambulance. In all 23 Fire and EMS units responded to the call per Everett Fire.

Initially, seven inmates were transported via medical units from the Jail to Providence Regional Medical Center.

Per Everett Fire there were no fatalities but specific details on the inmates condition were not available.

As of this writing the booking area of the jail has been closed and a team of investigators has been called to the jail to determine the nature of the incident.

We’ll provide more information as it is made available.