Inside the failed terrorist attack on Taylor Swift concert

What to know about the foiled terrorist attack on the Taylor Swift concert

Trigger warning: Terrorism, mass shootings, public violence.

What you probably already know: Two suspects have been arrested after their plot to commit what would have been one of the worst terrorist attacks in the last decade was discovered by police. The pair, who allegedly planned to attack a series of Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria this week, have not been publicly identified but one is a 19-year-old man who was reportedly radicalized online and swore an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State. The suspect allegedly confessed his plans after being arrested, which included explosives and weapons that he planned to use to kill as many concertgoers as possible. Swift and the concert organizers canceled the three Vienna shows when the plot was discovered.

Why? Austrian police say they found explosives, timers, knives and machetes in one of the suspects’ houses, as well as Islamic propaganda and counterfeit currency. He had allegedly been able to create bombs using instructions he found online, and had obtained a police siren system that they suspect he would have used to enter or flee the site. The second person arrested was a 17-year-old boy, who police said they believe was an accomplice who worked at the stadium where the concerts were scheduled.

What it means: Investigators were able to catch the suspect before he was able to take action largely because they received a tip from U.S. intelligence that the Austrian had quit his job and told colleagues he had “big plans,” then changed his appearance.

What happens now? Austrian officials said Islamic extremism has been on the rise in Europe since the Hamas attack on Israel and the war in Gaza began last year. Concerts have become targets in recent years, where attacks including suicide bombers have killed dozens of people. An attack in Russian in March killed more than 140 and was also linked to the Islamic State.

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