Ella Langley cancels Tulsa concert following bomb and shooting threat
Police found no credible threat during sweeps of the BOK Center, but the country music star called off the sold-out arena show hours before start time.
What happened in Tulsa
US country music artist Ella Langley cancelled her sold-out concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday night after receiving a security threat just hours before she was due on stage.
The 27-year-old singer announced the cancellation on social media roughly two hours before the performance at the 19,000-seat arena was scheduled to start. Langley said the decision was made to protect the safety of fans, venue staff, and her touring team.
The venue management confirmed the cancellation shortly after, explaining that after careful consideration alongside authorities, officials determined the concert could not proceed.
What police found at the BOK Center
Tulsa Police Department officers conducted multiple security sweeps of the arena prior to the show. Police Captain Richard Meulenberg said an anonymous caller had claimed that "great harm" would be carried out at the venue using firearms and explosives.
Following the phone call, officers assisted by sniffer dogs performed another full sweep of the building. Investigators found nothing suspicious inside or around the facility.
"We could not find a credible threat," Meulenberg said, adding that the venue was cleared and ready to host the event. He noted that the hoax caller had successfully disrupted the event for thousands of attendees who had already gathered or were travelling to the arena.
How the decision was taken
Writing on Instagram, Langley described the cancellation as an "incredibly difficult" choice, but stressed that she refused to place anyone in potential danger. She noted that the move was made in coordination with local law enforcement, venue officials, and her private security staff.
Langley apologised to her fans and said details regarding ticket refunds would be released as soon as possible.
The Alabama-born singer-songwriter has seen her profile rise rapidly over the past year, sweeping major honours at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May.
Neither Tulsa police nor arena management have disclosed whether investigators have identified the person responsible for making the threatening phone call.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Venue capacity | 19,000 seats | BOK Center |
| Timing of cancellation | Around two hours before showtime | Ella Langley social media statement |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Ella Langley | Country music artist who cancelled her concert following a security threat. |
| BOK Center | 19,000-seat arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma where the concert was scheduled to take place. |
| Tulsa Police Department | Law enforcement agency that conducted security sweeps and investigated the threat. |
