It has been reported that the 19-year-old terror plot suspect, Beran A., had 'big plans' to harm 20,000 people gathering outside Ernst Happel Stadium during one of Taylor's shows.
- Aug 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - More details about terror threats targeting Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" shows in Vienna have been revealed. Recently, it was reported that one of the terror plot suspects aimed to harm as many concertgoers as possible.
On Thursday, August 8, it was revealed that the 19-year-old Austrian suspect, whose name is Beran A., "admitted to planning to carry out a horror attack" at the 34-year-old superstar's concerts, which were set to be held from Thursday, August 8 to 10 in the capital city in Austria. He reportedly had prepared "big plans" after quitting his job in July.
According to local outlet Kurier, via The U.S. Sun, as many as 65,000 people were expected to attend each of the shows this week. Furthermore, 20,000 people, who did not get tickets to enter Ernst Happel Stadium, were about to gather outside the venue.
Beran, who "radicalized himself with the Islamic terror group's sick ideology through the internet and swore allegiance to the group's leader in a video," reportedly "planned to carry out an attack at the sold-out gig on Thursday or Friday." He planned to do it along with "his accomplices" who are 17 and 15 years old.
A report read, "Beran planned to drive a car into the some 20,000 fans who were gathering outside Vienna's huge Ernst Happel Stadium to listen to Taylor's music during the concert." Moreover, per Austrian security officials, Beran "confessed to planning to 'kill as many people as possible' outside the venue" using "knives, machetes and explosives." Officials also said that he "planned to kill himself in the attack."
The concerts were canceled following the arrest of Beran and his 17-year-old accomplice. While Beran was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, the second suspect was apprehended in Vienna. These arrests were made after authorities became aware of "preparatory actions" for a possible attack, focusing on Taylor's concerts. The three suspects had detailed plans, and a bomb squad found chemical substances during Beran's arrest.
Despite the terror threats, thousands of Taylor's fans, famously known as Swifties, gathered on the streets to sing her songs together. They have found solace in music and community after the threats forced the cancellation of the three "Eras Tour" concerts.
