Man Arrested After Suspected Drug Poisoning Death at Bass Canyon

A 27-year-old Bass Canyon attendee has died following a suspected drug poisoning, with authorities arresting a Seattle man after an undercover investigation at the festival. Zion Randall of Olympia, Washington, died during the event at The Gorge Amphitheatre, where Bass Canyon took place from August 14 to 16.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, investigators learned from Randall’s friends that he had consumed suspected controlled substances purchased from another attendee. Witnesses said he became ill afterward and later died at the venue’s medical facility. Grant County officials have described the case as a suspected drug poisoning, while the coroner said the official cause and manner of death remain pending laboratory results.

The investigation led the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, or INET, to 28-year-old Quincy R. Travers. Detectives then conducted an undercover operation and said they purchased suspected illegal drugs from Travers before arresting him Sunday evening.

Travers was arrested on suspicion of one count of delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Authorities said the possession counts involved cocaine, ketamine and MDMA allegedly found in his possession.

INET is investigating Randall’s death as a suspected controlled substance homicide, while the Grant County Coroner’s Office continues its investigation. No final determination has yet been announced connecting a specific substance to Randall’s death.

The investigation also involved the Yakima County Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA, Washington State Patrol Cannabis Enforcement Response Team and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Live Nation, which operates the concert venue, also assisted investigators during the case.