Isaac Wright, AKA @driftershoots has now been held in the Hamilton County Jail for more than 100 days, having been accused of going onto a building rooftop to take photos. Only a few blocks away from his alma mater, Colerain High School, lies the historic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (a precursor to Roebling’s more famous construction, the Brooklyn Bridge). Sitting at the border of Ohio and
Kentucky, the Roebling Bridge offers an extraordinary overview of Cincinnati, a view that undoubtedly first inspired Isaac in his life and work. And although Isaac has adopted (been attributed to) this “daredevil” persona through his photography, he attests that “it is not the thrill of what I do that speaks to my heart, rather it is how it quiets my heart in unfathomable ways.”
Isaac has always had an inclination to inspire others, something that eventually came to fruition during his service in the military. After graduating from Colerain in 2015, he joined the army, serving in the 4th Psychological Operations Ground until April of 2018, when he joined the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. In his 5 years of service, Isaac achieved many honors, including the battalion soldier of the year award and a promotion as sergeant only 2 years after his enlistment. He has always been an exemplary soldier, friend, and community member, which isn’t surprising considering that he had early aspirations of becoming a Chaplain. This eventually led Isaac to assist the unit Chaplain as part of his operational specialty: “I assisted in su***de prevention, soldier and family care, and helping maintain unit morale.”
Isaac poured his heart into his comrades’ well-being and care, finding the role incredibly rewarding, although at times, the position proved strenuous on his mental and emotional health. He remembers, “I worked tirelessly with our command team on su***de prevention, meeting with, counseling, and checking in on up to 5-10 soldiers at a time throughout the week . . . we were able to help dozens of our battalion’s soldiers through su***de and see then mentally healthy again, however we lost some too” This was when Isaac began experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Two soldiers, also struggling with PTSD and who were among the soldiers on Isaac’s “high-risk” watch, commited su***de. The trauma of losing not only his fellow comrades but friends weighed heavily on him: “to watch a soldier walk into your office and struggle and not be able to save them is crashing and something you don’t forget.” Through his courageous assistance, Isaac saved countless lives, but by the end of his service, Isaac was adrift: he was left feeling uninspired in his life and work, and his relationship with God was fraught. After returning from his first tour to the States in 2018, Isaac began seeing a therapist himself. He describes how this was a turning point for him, not only mentally but creatively. and this is also when I began taking photographs.” Through photography Isaac was able to reclaim the joy, the spirit he felt had been affected by his PTSD. His photos not only help to remind him, but all of us, that we are a small part of a larger purpose. Since starting his Instagram account @driftershoots in August of 2020, Isaac has amassed more than 17,000 followers where he strives to connect memory, communities, and people with his bold and adventurous photography. “There was something about being above the city that calmed the storm in my head. It was the only thing that helped.” The effects of Isaac’s work can be felt throughout the thousands of comments, encouraging messages, and support he has received from the online community, one that only continues to grow and grow. Now, at the Hamilton County Justice Center in Cincinnati, Isaac waits patiently. Over one hundred days of incarceration, he waits. Over one hundred days without the comfort of his closest friends or family. On December 17, 2020, Isaac was arrested driving along the Arizona highway after the Cincinnati official’s local warrant escalated to a national level. In doing so, they unlawfully indicted Isaac with many false charges, including F-2 burglary (categorized as one level below murder). Although the prosecution feels complacent on spreading these allegations, the lead detective on record reported that the only crime Isaac committed when allegedly unlawfully entering these buildings was taking pictures. The prosecution also have acknowledged on record that nothing was stolen, nobody was hurt, and that Isaac has no prior criminal history. In the state of Ohio, bonds for murder charges are set at $500,000. Isaac’s bond has risen to $400,000. While awaiting a hearing, all Isaac can do is sit and wait. And after receiving no leniency from the prosecution, the state, we urge the public—you—for support. If you are able to, we strongly ask that you donate to the GoFundMe page organized by family and friends. These are tough and troubling times for everyone, but if you are willing to help alleviate the wrongful bond and legal fees it would be a great comfort and a great start to receiving justice. If you are unable to donate, we are asking you to share Isaac’s story, to share his message, to start a conversation and initiate change. Isaac’s life mission has always been about finding the beautiful in the everyday. And it is a message that he is constantly reminded of in his work: “It is in those moments that I feel closest to God. It is in those moments that I feel small again and am reminded of the possibility of life, the privilege of it. Without my work, I could easily have passed on like my friends and fellow soldiers. If there is ever a question as to the motives behind my work, let me be clear: my work is a celebration of life.”
Isaac’s photography saved his life, now we are asking you to save his.
