Two Arrested Over Terrorist Plot Aimed At Taylor Swift Concert In Vienna

Security measures for Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna, Austria, have been heightened this week following the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in a terror plot, according to authorities.

The two men were arrested on Wednesday in connection with alleged plots to carry out attacks at major events in Vienna, Austria, including Taylor Swift's upcoming concerts.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl revealed that one of the men arrested was a 19-year-old who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. The two men undertook "specific preparatory actions for a terrorist attack," with the 19-year-old specifically planning to target the Taylor Swift concerts.

Both suspects were said to have become radicalized online and were believed to have had specific and detailed plans for carrying out an attack.

“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalized via the internet,” Ruf said, per BBC. He added the 19-year-old made “an oath of allegiance” to Islamic State at the beginning of July.

Kronen Zeitung, an Austrian newspaper, reported that one of the suspects is an Austrian of North Macedonian descent who lived with his family in Ternitz, per Fox.

A significant police operation unfolded in Ternitz, where the 19-year-old resided. Several nearby homes were evacuated as authorities conducted a search of his residence. According to NBC, upon the 19-year-old’s arrest, a bomb squad reportedly discovered chemical substances.

Authorities are currently investigating whether these substances could have been used to construct a bomb. Austria’s Cobra unit, akin to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, also played a role in the arrests.

Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform in Vienna this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The concerts are anticipated to attract 65,000 attendees each day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans expected outside the venue, according to police.

A police official assured reporters that there were no plans to cancel the concerts, reassuring them that "the concrete danger has been minimized."

Enhanced security measures will be in place, including heavy weapons teams, K-9 units, bomb squads, and tactical vehicles. Fans should anticipate delays due to thorough visitor and vehicle checks by authorities.

This latest report comes just days after a man who attended Morgan Wallen’s concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on August 3 was charged with a felony for making a “terroristic threat” against Kansas City Chiefs players, including stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, who were also at the event.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the Morgan Wallen concert was delayed by 40 minutes as Kansas City police detectives worked to track down and arrest the suspect, identified as Aaron Brown from Illinois.

Brown posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, threatening: "Mr. [redacted] at Arrowhead with the wife. If he brings out [redacted] or [redacted] I'll take the f-ckin shot. F-ck em! Also f-ck you b-tch!! (hand emoji with the middle finger up twice)."

He was arrested and questioned by investigators. “It was a stupid, stupid, stupid mistake” to post the threat he admitted.

During the show, Wallen, dressed in a Chiefs jersey, invited Kelce and Mahomes onto the stage. The prosecutor’s statement reads: “Aaron Brown of Winchester, Ill, faces a Class E felony of Making a Terroristic Threat in the 2nd Degree," per Variety. "According to court records, Kansas City police detectives and intelligence analysts in the Kansas City Fusion Center working at GEHA field at Arrowhead on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, officers were monitoring threats at a planned concert when they observed on X (Twitter) a threat against two individuals, who were members of the Kansas City Chiefs organization, were present at the event."

Despite the presence of Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Patrick’s wife, Brittany Mahomes, officials have not disclosed the specific identities of those who were threatened.

Brown is now facing a Class E felony charge of "making a terrorist threat in the 2nd degree." Although a $15,000 bond was initially set, prosecutors are now seeking a $250,000 cash bond.