Only a few hours before showtime, Ella Langley has canceled her concert at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s BOK Center on Friday night (Oct. 9) because of “a serious security threat,” according to a statement on the country singer’s Instagram page.
“Due to a serious security threat involving the safety of my fans, venue personnel, and the artist, Ella Langley’s scheduled performance tonight at BOK Center in Tulsa has been canceled,” reads the post that appeared shortly before 5 p.m. CT on both Langley’s and the venue’s socials.
“The safety and well-being of everyone involved is our absolute priority, and, after careful consideration, we have determined that the show cannot proceed. We understand the disappointment this news brings and apologize to fans who planned to attend. The safety of our fans is our foremost concern and will always come first,” the message continues. Ticket refund information will be forthcoming.
The Tulsa Police Department say that they had swept the area and found no credible threat.
“A sold-out concert was canceled tonight over threats of violence,” reads a statement on the Tulsa Police Department’s Facebook page. “As with any large event, the Tulsa Police Department goes to great lengths to ensure that it is safe for eventgoers and those coming to perform. Before the event, we swept the area with our K-9, Bomb Team, Patrol, and BOK security for anything dangerous. We did not find anything. [Then] a call was made threatening the lives of people attending the event. Out of an abundance of caution, we swept the building and surrounding area and again found no credible threat to the event’s safety. We advised the performer’s staff that we found no credible threat to the event, but they decided to cancel the performance anyway.”
In a Facebook video from the Tulsa PD relaying the same information, Captain Richard Meulenberg went into further detail saying that after the initial routine sweep, a threatening call came in with the caller saying someone was going to bring “great harm to the people at this event in the way of shots fired and bombs, so we came out again in an overabundance of caution,” Meulenberg said. “The person who called this in with a phone call disrupted this event for all these folks.”
The police also asked for the public’s help on its Facebook page: “This incident is under investigation. If you know anything about it that can be helpful and want a cash reward, call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.”
Langley is in the middle of her Dandelion Tour, named after her new album that features “Choosin’ Texas,” which has broken the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at 24.
In addition to the official post, Langley added, “I know how much time, travel, money, and planning goes into coming to a show, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am. This is not a decision that was made lightly. I was so looking forward to spending tonight with you, but your safety will always mean more to me than anything else. I refuse to put anyone in harm’s way.”
A receptionist at the arena told Billboard, “We’re not able to give a comment to the media at this time.” Billboard has reached out to a marketing representative for Oakview Group, which operates the venue, for further comment, but has not heard back. A rep for Langley had no additional comment beyond Langley’s post.
The police also asked for the public’s help on its Facebook page: “This incident is under investigation. If you know anything about it that can be helpful and want a cash reward, call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.”
Langley’s tour continues Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas, at United Supermarkets Arena, before coming to Los Angeles for two shows at the Greek Theater, Oct. 13-14.
