The Band Perry cancels show after a man makes terroristic threats

Country pop trio the Band Perry called off a concert scheduled for Sunday in Delaware after threatening comments that police said two men made a few hours before the show was to take place.

In a statement, Delaware State Police Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said the concert was halted “due to heightened security concerns and for the safety of the public.”

Police did not specify what the men said, but released security camera photos and asked the public to call with any information about the two white men described as between 20 and 30 years old, one wearing a purple T-shirt and blue shorts, the other in a green T-shirt and shorts.

One of the men, Dzmitry N. Papou, 35, turned himself in to police Monday night after the photos were released. He was charged with felony terroristic threatening and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. Police also said they have identified the second man, but have not arrested him and released no more details because the investigation is ongoing.

Regarding the concert cancellation, “You always want to make the right decision, and that might not be the popular decision,” Patti Grimes, executive director of the foundation that operates the Freeman Stage where the concert was scheduled, told the Delaware News Journal. “Since this is an active ongoing investigation, we are not at liberty to share the details.”

Grimes said the threats were made about 2:55 p.m. on Sunday to an employee at a welcome center near the venue and that they were specific to the concert. Police, the band’s representatives and venue officials believed public safety could have been at risk if the show proceeded.

The concert was called off a few minutes before opening act Melissa Alesi was to take the stage.

The trio posted a message on its Twitter account saying, “While we are sad we don’t get to see you tonight, we love you and consider your well-being and security our top priority. We’ll see you soon.” The show has been rescheduled for Aug. 17.

The concert postponement comes less than a month after pop singer Christina Grimmie was killed in Orlando, Fla., when she was shot during an autograph signing session following a concert performance.

Security at many music events also has been heightened following the June 12 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, also in Orlando, that left 49 club-goers dead.

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randy.lewis@latimes.com

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