18-year-old third suspect arrested in connection with Taylor Swift’s terror attack
According to authorities, an 18-year-old was arrested in connection with the foiled terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
Another person has been arrested in connection with the alleged terrorist attack plan on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, authorities said.
The 18-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the Iraqi national came from the same background as the main suspect, Reuters reported.
Karner gave the update during a press conference unrelated to the matter.
Two other people had already been arrested, including a 19-year-old Austrian who is accused of planning a deadly attack with “knife weapons” in the Ernst Happel Stadium and of “building a bomb”. He had quit his job just a few days earlier.
When searching the suspect’s apartment, officers found “chemical substances, liquids, explosives and technical equipment that could be used to make explosives,” said Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Security. Instructions on how to make bombs and machetes were also found.
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium and kill as many people as possible with the knives or the explosives he made,” said intelligence chief Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.
Officials said police also arrested a 17-year-old who was employed by a property management company and was on duty during Swift’s concert. As USA TODAY previously reported, a 15-year-old was arrested and questioned by police.
Terrorist attack at Taylor Swift concert: Taylor Swift’s terrorist attack linked to ISIS: Are they still a threat?
Suspects pledged allegiance to IS; shows cancelled
During the investigation, it emerged that the 19-year-old had sworn allegiance to IS, a notorious terrorist group known as the “Islamic State,” and had confessed to the charges.
According to Reuters, Karner said the youngest suspect, 18, also pledged allegiance to the organization, but it is unclear whether he is connected to the foiled plot.
Taylor Swift’s three sold-out concerts have been canceled and tickets automatically refunded, officials said.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].
Contributors: Brendan Morrow, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY
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