Nissan Stadium Bomb Threat Meant To Sink CMA Fest Show: Police

NASHVILLE, TN — A 28-year-old Columbia man wanted Sunday’s CMA Fest concert at Nissan Stadium canceled, so he phoned in a bomb threat, according to Metro Police.

Investigators say Joshua Williamson called a security representative at the stadium early Wednesday and threatened to bomb Sunday’s show, slated to include performances by Dietz’s Bentley, Luke Bryan, Brett Eldridge, Bebe Rexha, Cole Swindell and Ricky Skaggs.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

According to police, someone called Nissan Stadium at 4:37 Sunday morning and said "Someone told me they were going to place a bomb in the stadium on Sunday" and then called back three minutes later from the same number saying "For y'all's own safety, I suggest y'all cancel the CMA Awards [sic] Sunday." The CMA Awards are in November and at Bridgestone Arena; detectives believe the caller was referring to the CMT Fest concert Sunday at the stadium.

Detectives say they linked Williamson to the New Jersey-registered cell phone number that made the threat and arrested him at the downtown Nashville business where he works.

Police say Williamson admitted to the threat but that he had no way of actually carrying out an attack.

Williamson is charged with making a false report of an emergency and has an outstanding aggravated burglary warrant in his native Maury County.

Photo via Metro Nashville Police