FGCU student charged with threat to conduct mass shooting or act of terrorism

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A Florida Gulf Coast University student from Fort Myers has been arrested on a charge of making a written threat to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, according to court records.

Joseph Antonio Baer, 21, was taken into custody Friday at his Fort Myers home after an investigation involving the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Fort Myers Police Department.

According to an affidavit filed by the Fort Myers Police Department, the investigation began in February 2025 after the FBI identified an X account operating under the username "SamsaraAddict."

The affidavit states investigators identified Baer as the user of the account and interviewed him at Florida Gulf Coast University on Feb. 26, 2025. During that interview, Baer admitted owning the account but denied intending to commit violence, according to investigators.

Authorities allege Baer later continued participating in online forums and Discord servers associated with neo-Nazi communities and used platforms to communicate with "like-minded extremists".

The affidavit cites numerous statements investigators say Baer made online between late 2025 and 2026, including, "The only action is an attack," "Bomb government buildings," and "My goal is to destroy America."

Investigators also allege Baer wrote, "Every Christian needs to hang," "Join us or perish with the rest," and "I will die fighting for the banner of Hitler".

According to the affidavit, investigators found posts and messages they said promoted violence, terrorism and armed revolution.

Authorities further allege Baer discussed purchasing a firearm after turning 21 and "repeatedly praised and glorified individuals who committed mass casualty attacks and advocated for future acts of violence".

The affidavit states that on or around June 10, investigators received screenshots from a sensitive source showing Baer discussing plans to acquire a Bushmaster XM-15 rifle after his birthday. Investigators wrote that Baer allegedly said he wanted that model because it had been used by perpetrators of previous mass shootings.

In the affidavit, investigators argued Baer's statements constituted "true threats" and were not protected political speech, writing that he repeatedly communicated messages advocating violence and terrorism while attempting to radicalize others.

"Viewed collectively and in context, BAER's statements constitute more than generalized political advocacy or offensive rhetoric," the affidavit states.

Investigators also wrote that "a reasonable person reviewing the communications would interpret them as serious expressions advocating and threatening violence, terrorism, murder, and mass casualty attacks."

Baer was taken into custody Friday and he remains in custody at the Lee County jail.

FGCU Students React

FGCU junior Maria Rabelo said she's glad law enforcement took the alleged threats seriously.

"Sometimes it's like, 'oh, it's just online, it's there's no face behind that', there's always a face behind that, and you don't know what that person is doing in real life," Rabelo said.

Fellow FGCU student Avery Lawson said she's never seen Baer on campus, but hearing about his alleged threats feels too close for comfort.

"It's very personal at that point, because obviously it's somebody that's in your community, and so to see like stuff like that, it's very scary, especially without like in our day and age how terrible things have gotten," Lawson said.

FGCU confirms Baer is an active senior at the university and that they will follow the disciplinary process in their student code of conduct. Lawson said while the situation is scary, she thinks law enforcement did their job.

"It's awesome that they were able to step in before anything could go down, and it's how active they are coming on to, like, the campus and stepping in before anything can get further," Lawson said. "It just lets us know that we're a little bit safer, and that there are authorities taking action, so that we are safer as a community."

WINK News reached out to family members of Baer. A man answered the phone and said the family has no comment.

Baer is facing one charge of writing a threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism. WINK News reached out to his attorney for comment but has not heard back.