Report of foiled Bieber murder plot go viral, but details still unconfirmed

TORONTO - Police in New Mexico say Canadian pop star Justin Bieber was the apparent target of a failed murder-for-hire plot.

Spokesman Lieut. Robert McDonald has told The Canadian Press in an email that "it appears (Bieber) was a target in the foiled plot."

A New Mexico media outlet is reporting details of the alleged plot, citing unnamed investigators, but those allegations have not been officially confirmed.

The Canadian singer's management, asked to comment on the report, released a statement saying only that they take "every precaution to protect and insure the safety of Justin and his fans."

KRQE News in New Mexico reported that police have arrested two men in the United States in connection with the plot to allegedly murder Bieber and three other people.

The alleged plot — which KRQE News says was planned right down to the paisley tie that would be used to strangle victims — was reportedly foiled after the would-be hit men were arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants last month before any of the killings were carried out.

The television station reports that the two men were outed to police by the person who allegedly came up with the elaborate plot in the first place.

The outlet cites unnamed investigators saying Mark Staake, 41, and his nephew Tanner Ruane, 23, planned to attack Bieber while he was in New York City for a concert a few weeks ago.

KRQE alleges the two men became involved in the plot while in prison, where they met a convicted killer who orchestrated a plan that was to result in four murders.

The news outlet alleges the man behind the plan was Dana Martin, and that he asked Staake and Ruane to head to Vermont first to kill two former acquaintances.

KRQE claims in its report that Martin then ordered the men to target Bieber and his bodyguard. The station says Martin is allegedly obsessed with Bieber and has a tattoo of the Stratford, Ont., native on his leg.