Current:Home > NewsCIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna -Wealth Impact Academy
CIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna
View
Date:2025-04-27 05:26:02
A CIA deputy said the thwarted terrorist plot at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna earlier month was intended to kill "tens of thousands" of people.
David Cohen, a CIA deputy director, got candid about the suspected terror plot to target fans of the popstar, during the Intelligence and National Security Summit, held annually in Maryland, according to the Associated Press and The New York Times.
“They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans and were quite advanced in this,” Cohen said Wednesday. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do.”
Taylor Swift cancels Vienna Eras tourconcerts after two arrested in alleged terror plot
Three people were arrested in relation to the suspected terrorist plot that had been planned for one of Swift's Vienna shows on Aug. 8-10, which were cancelled. The suspects are an 18-year-old Iraqi national, a 19-year-old Austrian living in a town near the Hungarian border and a 17-year-old boy hired by a company that was to provide services to the Ernst Happel Stadium.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote in a social media post that the security situation was very serious, and a tragedy was averted.
"We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety," said Barracuda Music, the promoter for the Austrian shows. "All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."
Later, Swift broke her silence in an Aug. 21 Instagram post days after cancelling the shows on the alleged terrorist plot and her fans' safety.
"Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows," Swift wrote in the caption. "But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives."
She continued: "I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us."
Contributing: Bryan West, Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra
veryGood! (9268)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Meet the new CFP rankings, same as the old-school media poll
- 'He gave his life': Chicago police officer fatally shot in line of duty traffic stop ID'd
- 1 of 2 Democratic prosecutors removed by DeSantis in Florida wins back old job
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- CAUCOIN Trading Center: Welcoming an Upcoming Era of Greatness
- Penn State Police investigating viral Jason Kelce incident with fan
- Troubled by illegal border crossings, Arizona voters approve state-level immigration enforcement
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- 'He gave his life': Chicago police officer fatally shot in line of duty traffic stop ID'd
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Republican Rep. Michael Guest won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Mississippi
- Why AP called the Texas Senate race for Ted Cruz
- Democrats lose trifecta in Michigan, hobbling Gov. Whitmer’s agenda
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- No involuntary manslaughter charges in boy’s death at nature therapy camp
- Prince William Shows Off Sweet Friendship Bracelet Princess Charlotte Made for Taylor Swift Concert
- Kourtney Kardashian Reveals NSFW Way She Celebrated Kris Jenner's 69th Birthday
Recommendation
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Quantitative Investment Journey of Dexter Quisenberry
Why AP called North Carolina for Trump
Democrats hoped Harris would rescue them. On Wednesday, she will reckon with her loss
Travis Hunter, the 2
Mike Gundy apologizes for saying negative Oklahoma State fans 'can't pay their own bills'
Abortion rights amendment’s passage triggers new legal battle in Missouri
Donald Trump Elected as President, Defeats Democratic Candidate Kamala Harris