Crime
18-Year-Old Tennessee Gunner Joseph Fisher Arrested in Alleged Plot to Carry Out Mass Shooting choosing Nashville mosque as target
He has since been indicted by a federal grand jury and is now asking to be released from custody.
Federal authorities have arrested 18-year-old Gunner Joseph Fisher of Big Rock, Tennessee, on charges related to an alleged plot to commit a mass shooting.
Fisher, who harbored extreme racist and violent ideologies, had reportedly been planning such an attack for years, according to an affidavit filed in federal court by FBI Special Agent Christopher R. Potts.
Fisher was apprehended in late December following a tip-off from Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, which alerted authorities to alarming messages on his account.
The messages indicated Fisher was planning a mass shooting and had amassed a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Investigators found that Fisher had posted disturbing content online, expressing his hatred toward specific racial and religious groups, including Jews, African Americans, and Muslims.
He frequently referenced admiration for mass shooters and posted images of himself posing with firearms and tactical gear.
One of his posts read:
“My entire school is gonna be wiped off the face of this EARTH.”
He also discussed potential targets, including his own school and a local mosque in Nashville, inspired by Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.
Fisher’s online activity included communications with an unidentified individual outside of Tennessee, where they exchanged messages about orchestrating mass shootings. In one exchange, Fisher allegedly stated:
“I’m gonna go on a spree this year probably. I’ve been planning for five years.”
He also inquired whether his associate would mention his attack in their manifesto.
On December 14, 2024, FBI agents conducted an interview with Fisher at his residence, during which he admitted to a long-standing fascination with mass shootings and an obsession with violent content.
A search of his electronic devices uncovered a chilling video where he declared his intent to target racial and religious minorities, using hate-filled rhetoric.
Additionally, investigators retrieved a manifesto dated November 29, in which Fisher detailed his plan to use firearms and explosives to cause mass casualties at his school.
Fisher has since been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of communicating threats of mass violence, and federal prosecutors have requested he remain in custody without bond. In their request, prosecutors argued that “no set of conditions will assure the safety of the community.”
The U.S. Magistrate Judge, Barbara D. Holmes, has continued a detention hearing to allow Fisher’s defense to present evidence regarding his mental health diagnosis and potential treatment options. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Tuesday morning.
While the case received minimal media coverage, it did capture the attention of Solomon Henderson, the 17-year-old student responsible for the recent deadly shooting at Antioch High School. Henderson, who shot two fellow students before taking his own life, referenced Fisher in his online diary, posting:
“N**a was in my area lol,”*
There is no evidence suggesting the two individuals knew each other personally, but authorities are investigating any potential links.
Federal authorities continue to examine Fisher’s online activity, including communications with individuals who may have influenced or encouraged his behavior. They are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Law enforcement and local officials have reassured the public that proactive measures are in place to prevent similar incidents. Schools in the region have increased security and counseling resources for students and families affected by recent events.
Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the FBI Nashville Field Office or submit tips anonymously through the FBI’s tip line.
Authorities have confirmed that both Cortney Bartholomew and Brad Bartholomew were detained for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of 22-year-old Rebecca Kay Park.
Investigators removed multiple items from the residence as potential evidence, including vehicles.
At this time, officials have not confirmed whether either individual has been formally charged.
Rebecca was last seen on the night of November 3 near her mother’s residence in Boon Township, Michigan.
Early reports suggested she was observed entering a dark-colored vehicle; however, her mother, Cortney, reportedly provided conflicting descriptions regarding the vehicle.
Cortney is believed to be the last person to have seen Rebecca alive.
Following Rebecca’s disappearance, Cortney sent a series of urgent text messages to Richard Lee Falor—Rebecca’s fiancé, the father of her unborn child, and Cortney’s former partner.
Despite having limited recent communication, the messages appeared frantic and included statements such as:
- “Call me back asap”
- “Rich it’s Cortney call me back”
- “Dude call me”
- “Ur ole lady took off with some dude in a black car”
In the days after she went missing, Rebecca’s cellphone was located on a nearby roadway.
The phone was reportedly recovered by Cortney herself, a detail that has contributed to public speculation due to reported inconsistencies and unanswered questions surrounding the case.
Public records and online discussions also reference prior criminal histories involving both Cortney and Falor, including offenses related to sexual assault.
Law enforcement has not confirmed whether those past cases have any direct relevance to the current investigation.
After 21 days missing, Rebecca was tragically located deceased. Her body was found by her father during a search effort, approximately 15 feet off the roadway and not far from where she was last seen.
Early findings suggest her body may have been dragged to the location. Rebecca was nine months pregnant at the time of her death.
Authorities confirmed the infant was not found with her, and information regarding the baby’s whereabouts remains undisclosed.
Following the discovery of her body, both Rebecca’s sister, Kimberly Park, and her fiancé, Richard Falor, were taken into custody.
Kimberly Park has been formally charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Tampering with evidence in a criminal case
- Making false statements to law enforcement during a violent-crime investigation
- Filing a false felony report
Falor was also arrested and is currently facing drug-related charges.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Additional updates are expected as forensic analysis, autopsy results, and collected evidence are processed.
Law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges.