‘Credible’ Assassination Threat Prompt World Famous Rocker to Cancel Shows

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The former frontman of The Smiths was scheduled to perform on Friday, September 12, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, with another show planned for Saturday at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Both venues have confirmed that ticket refunds will be processed.

“In recent days, there has been a credible threat on Morrissey’s life,” an announcement posted to his social media channels stated. “For the safety of both the artist and his band, the two shows have been canceled.”

The statement further mentioned: “All tickets will be refunded automatically at your original point of purchase.” Morrissey, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey, expressed gratitude to his fans for their understanding.

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Canadian authorities have tied the threat to Noah Castellano, who reportedly posted on Bluesky right before Morrissey’s subsequent performance on September 19 at the CityFolk festival in Ottawa.

Court documents indicate Castellano stated: “Steven Patrick Morrissey, when you perform at TD Place here in Ottawa next week… I will attempt to shoot you many times and kill you with a very large gun that I own illegally.”

Following this alarming post, police arrested Castellano on September 12, charging him with threatening to cause death or bodily harm. He was later released on a $5,000 bail. The Ottawa Citizen mentioned that the threats echoed statements made in court filings.

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Despite the serious threat, Morrissey proceeded with his performance at the CityFolk festival on September 12, followed by concerts in Toronto on September 13 and New York City on September 16. However, the cancellations in New England represent the first disruption in his tour following the publicity of the arrest.

This course of action reflects the heightened anxiety surrounding security at live events, especially after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah on September 10.

Morrissey, who is now 66 years old, has long been a figure of controversy both in the UK and internationally, receiving repeated criticism for remarks considered racist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic.

Notably, in 2019, he was seen wearing a pin that supported the far-right For Britain movement during a performance on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Furthermore, a 2010 interview about animal rights led him to label people of Chinese descent as a “subspecies.”

In a 2017 interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel, his opinions drew intense reaction, particularly his critiques of the #MeToo movement. Morrissey has also expressed his disapproval of halal slaughter, calling it “evil,” and has falsely insinuated connections between halal certification and ISIS, alongside mocking Islamic figures and traditions such as Eid celebrations.

His rhetoric has provoked civil rights and anti-racist organizations, with notable calls for boycotts against his performances.