FGCU student accused of praising mass shooters, making terrorism threats online

A Fort Myers man was arrested after investigators said he made online posts glorifying mass shooters and advocating violence.According to an affidavit, FBI special agents interviewed FGCU civil engineering student Joseph Baer, 21, on February 26, 2025, regarding a series of posts uploaded on Feb. 18, 2025, from an X account with the username of "SamsaraAddict"Court documents state the posts glorified mass shooters, promoted white supremacist ideology, displayed firearms, and advocated for violence against racial and religious minorities.While being interviewed, Baer admitted that he owned the account, but denied intent to commit violence, investigators said.However, further investigation reportedly revealed that Baer had continued involvement with online extremist communities that promoted racially motivated violent extremism.The FBI received information in October 2025 that Baer was actively participating in online forums and Discord servers associated with neo-Nazi accelerationist organizations. These include FashFront.org, described as a place for "fascists to network" and individuals aligned with the Injekt Division, an organization that promotes real-world organized violence through online propaganda and networking.According to the affidavit, Baer advocated for violence, terrorism, armed revolution, and the destruction of governmental institutions and stated that his goal was to "radicalize" other users and recruit them to support violent accelerationist ideology.From approximately November 2025 to January 2026, investigators said Baer made the following statements on a Discord account with the username "ehwaz18":"My goal is to destroy America.""Bomb government buildings.""We should destroy America.""Armed struggle and violent revolution.""We are revolutionaries. We want the state to be destroyed.""I will die fighting for the banner of Hitler."Investigators also stated that Baer utilized a Discord account with the username "GTKRWNWP (Gas the K---- Race War Now White Power)" to post "Every Christian needs to hang" and "Join us or perish with the rest" on Jan. 14, 2026.Baer went on to make numerous posts from March through May, according to the affidavit. Detectives said they learned last week that Baer planned to buy an AR-15-style rifle, similar to those used in mass shootings in Sandy Hook and Buffalo, New York. They also said he was writing a manifesto.Baer was arrested on Friday, taken to the Lee County Jail, and is facing a charge of written threat to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, a second-degree felony.FGCU told Gulf Coast News that Baer was listed as an active student who was most recently enrolled in classes this spring, and the university will follow the disciplinary process outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.