Lollapalooza Security Guard Faked Mass Shooting Threat to Leave Work Early
A security guard working at last weekend’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago has been charged with a felony following her allegedly sending messages threatening a mass shooting. The guard reportedly sent the threats in order to get out of work early.
Block Club Chicago reports that 18-year-old Janya Williams sent an anonymous text on Friday, July 29 via TextNow to her supervisor that read, “Mass shooting at 4 pm location Lollapalooza. We have 150 targets.” Her supervisor forwarded the message up her chain of command which led to the Chicago Police and the FBI’s Joint Counterterrorism Task Force being notified of the threat. Williams also showed the supervisor a bogus Facebook screenshot that also alluded to a potential mass shooting.
Chicago Police and the FBI were able to determine via an emergency disclosure request the Apple iCloud account and IP address of the message sent via TextNow. This information pointed to Williams as being the sender.
Block Club Chicago notes, “Prosecutors said when Williams was brought in for questioning, she admitted she sent the message and created the fake post in order to leave work early.”
Williams has been charged with one felony count for making a terrorist threat. Her bond has been set at $50,000 and must wear a tether if she is bonded out of custody. A hearing on this incident has been set for August 8.
Lollapalooza: 30+ Years of Headliners/Notable Acts
Lollapalooza was first launched on July 18, 1991.
Originally launched as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction, the festival has had a unique history from its initial run from 1991 to 1997. It was then revived in 2003, canceled in 2004 but has been active from 2005 to today. In the video below, Jane’s Addiction frontman and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell offers a brief history of the festival.
Perry talks about the definition of the word “Lollapalooza” and says, “I thought about that and I went, ‘I can take all these different elements of music and art and lifestyle and swirl them together and make something wonderful.’ So, I thought it was the perfect name.”
Lollapalooza 2024
This week, the 2024 Lolla lineup was unveiled. As with previous years, its lineup is incredibly diverse.
Taking place August 1-4, the headliners include SZA, Tyler, the Creator, blink-182, The Killers, Future x Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, Melanie Martinez and Skrillex.
Other notable acts on the lineup include deftones, Renee Rapp, Pierce the Veil, Sexyy Red, Two Door Cinema Club, Destroy Boys, Cults, Cannons, Waterparks, In This Moment, Militarie Gun, Hanabie and many more.
Lollapalooza 2024 lineup poster. (Live Nation)
Lollapalooza has definitely evolved over time from a traveling festival to its current multi-day extravaganza in Chicago’s Grant Park. The festival’s partnership with the City of Chicago helps give back to the host city. Per a Live Nation press release, ” … Organizers created the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund, a $2.2M donation to support arts and education in Chicago Public Schools.”
The press release notes the festival supports other local nonprofits. They include Community Goods and Yollocalli, the Sueños Festival Job Fair, the African American Heritage Festivals, Teens in the Park Fest, Black Culture Fest, and Musically Fed.
So, how has the festival fared musically over the course of three decades? Here’s a look at past headliners and other notable acts from years past.
