Man Accused of Making False Bomb Threat to Jump Line at Doja Cat Concert

Witnesses waiting in line for the event at the Monument Circle in Indianapolis told police that a man claimed to be armed with a bomb

A man alleged to have made a bomb threat in an attempt to jump the line at a concert featuring Doja Cat in Indianapolis has been arrested.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the incident took place in the security line for AT&T’s Playoff Playlist Live! at Monument Circle. Nearby witnesses reportedly told police that the man claimed to be armed with a bomb.

The IMPD issued a statement on Twitter confirming the threat was a false alarm.

“IMPD officers responded, searched his bag and did not find an explosive,” the department tweeted. “The man had unrelated outstanding warrants and was immediately arrested for those.”

Deputy Chief Joshua Baker told the IndyStar via text message: “A fan wanted to advance in line so he exercised very poor judgment and told those around him in line he had a bomb in his backpack.” He added, “Someone did the right thing and alerted IMPD. The backpack was clean.”

Police announced that concert, including performances by Doja Cat, 26, and the band AJR, would continue as planned.

Eyewitnesses previously described the chaotic scene on social media, after waiting in line for hours to attend the free outdoor concert leading up to the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday.

One Twitter user wrote, “Just waited 4 hours to see doja cat for their [sic] to be a literal bomb threat(???) scariest moment of my actual life the ground was covered in ice we were all running and slipping around literally so scary.”

Another person tweeted, “We were considering leaving before the bomb threat happened. Saw the front of the line push everyone back and dipped out of there. Not going back.”