NTAC Case Study - Hot Yoga Tallahassee
NTAC Case Study - Hot Yoga Tallahassee
NTAC Case Study - Hot Yoga Tallahassee
Hot Yoga
Tallahassee
A CASE STUDY OF
MISOGYNISTIC EXTREMISM
S SECRE
AT E T
ST SE
D R
E
IT
VI
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March 2022
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IN M
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LLI SS
GENCE & ASSE
Although permission to reprint is not necessary, when quoting, paraphrasing, or otherwise referring to this document, the citation should be: National Threat
Assessment Center. (2021). Hot Yoga Tallahassee: A Case Study of Misogynistic Extremism. Washington, DC: U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security.
United States Secret Service
National Threat Assessment Center
Introduction
On November 2, 2018, a 40-year-old gunman
opened fire inside Hot Yoga Tallahassee, a yoga
Origins of the “Incel” Label
studio in Tallahassee, FL, killing two women
and injuring four more before committing In the late 1990s, a Canadian woman created
an Internet peer support forum for people
suicide. The attacker was motivated to carry
who wanted a sexual relationship but were
out violence by his inability to develop or unable to find a partner. It was intended to be
maintain relationships with women, along a safe place to seek support for those who felt
with his perception of women’s societal power sexually deprived due to social awkwardness,
over men. For decades prior, he engaged in marginalization, or mental illness. She
numerous instances of inappropriate and popularized the term “involuntary celibacy”
criminal behavior directed toward women as a nonjudgmental way for lonely people to
and girls. These behaviors resulted in him identify as a group. Over time, the term would
losing several jobs, being barred from public be shortened to “incel.” This forum, along
locations, and having multiple contacts with law with similar communities, was intended to be
enforcement, some of which resulted in arrest. positive and focused on providing support for
overcoming one’s “incel” status.
The behavioral history of the Hot Yoga
As the community grew, the ideas expressed
Tallahassee attacker illustrates many of the in the forums changed and by the early 2000s,
behavioral threat assessment themes identified some of the more dominant voices were
through years of U.S. Secret Service research young heterosexual men with vindictive and
examining targeted violence. Further, this aggressive views toward women. Though the
attacker’s history highlights the specific original developer took down her website, the
threat posed by misogynistic extremism. This community continued to spread across other
gender-based ideology, sometimes referred forums.
to as “male supremacy,” has received increased
Today, the term “incel” is often used to describe
attention in recent years from researchers, men who feel unable to obtain romantic or
government agencies, and advocacy groups sexual relationships with women, to which
due to its association with high-profile incidents they feel entitled. The term is used to describe
of mass violence. Some of these attacks were one online subculture that exists within the
perpetrated by individuals who espoused “manosphere” – a network of blogs and forums
specific types of misogynistic extremism, frequented by groups including incels, men’s
including “anti-feminists” and “involuntary rights activists (MRAs), Men Going Their Own
celibates” (See Origins of the “Incel” Label). The Way (MGTOW), and pickup artists (PUAs).
Hot Yoga Tallahassee attacker did not appear to Although these groups are known to promote
male-dominant views, some members express
adopt any of these specific ideological labels,
extreme ideologies involving anti-woman hate,
but his behavior and beliefs aligned with many
sexual objectification of women, and calls for
who do. Although these labels and their origins
violence targeting women.
vary, they all have proponents who have called
for violence against women.
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For example, on May 23, 2014, a 22-year-old male killed six people and injured fourteen others in a
shooting and stabbing spree near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
Among the victims were three women who were shot outside of a sorority house. The attacker
viewed these young women as symbols of the type of woman he was unable to attract. Earlier that
day, he posted a video on social media where he expressed his frustration of not being able to find a
girlfriend. He also recorded details of his hatred for women, his contempt for interracial couples, and
his plans for retribution. Although the UCSB killing spree is an example of a mass attack perpetrated
by a self-identified incel, mass attacks have also been perpetrated by attackers motivated by other
types of misogynistic extremism. For example, on July 19, 2020, a 72-year-old self-described “anti-
feminist” lawyer attacked the family of a federal judge, killing the judge’s son and wounding her
husband. The attacker was a fervent men’s rights advocate, motivated by a belief that “manhood is
in serious jeopardy in America” and calling for a “revolution.” 1 Unlike the UCSB attacker, this attacker
did not identify as an incel. He had previously been married and was not known to visit incel-related
websites.
It is further important to note that misogynistic violence is not restricted to high-profile incidents of
mass violence. Misogyny frequently appears in more prevalent acts of violence, including stalking
and domestic abuse. No matter the context, responding to the threat posed by these beliefs requires
collaboration across multiple community systems, including law enforcement, courts, mental health
providers, and domestic violence and hate crime advocacy groups.
The Hot Yoga Tallahassee case study demonstrates the opportunities that exist to prevent targeted
violence while drawing particular focus to the risk posed by misogynistic extremism. Highlighted
throughout the case study are behavioral threat assessment themes (see table on page 5) that
were evident in the background of the Hot Yoga Tallahassee attacker. These behavioral themes
are frequently seen in the backgrounds of other attackers and, as such, should be the focus of
community-level violence prevention efforts to identify and intervene with those who pose a risk of
engaging in targeted violence.
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The themes and behaviors identified in this case study are not provided as predictors of violence, but rather as
factors that should be evaluated in context when conducting a behavioral threat assessment. Further, some of the
identified behaviors involve activities that are protected by the Constitution and should be viewed with those
protections in mind.
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Born in 1978, SB and his two brothers were raised in Vestal, NY, where SB served as an acolyte in the
United Methodist Church. SB delivered newspapers to his neighbors, mowed their lawns, and was
active in Boy Scouts. SB avoided listening to pop or metal music, which referred to partying, the “rock
and roll” lifestyle, and all the “action” others got because he found the lyrics unrelatable.2 He felt
pressured by society about sex and being in a relationship. From early adolescence and into his teen
years, SB had limited friendships and no romantic relationships.
When SB was in eighth grade, around 1993, he experienced what he later described as the worst
day of his life. He claimed to have done something that caused all the students in his school to turn
against him. Though he did not share the details of the incident, he reported that even students
he had not previously known treated him as an outcast for
an entire day. The experience ended with him hiding under
his sheets at home for hours in the dark and served as the History of Being Bullied
inspiration for a song he wrote later in life, titled “Crying in
…described this bullying as
the Dark.” That same school year, a group of female students the origin of his misogyny.
bullied SB during home economics class. He later described this
bullying as the origin of his misogyny.
As a teen, SB wrote four novels and a screenplay, including a 70,000-word, 81-page novella titled
Rejected Youth, which he wrote the summer before his senior year. Rejected Youth was a revenge
fantasy about a middle school boy turned serial killer who hated his female classmates who had
shunned and humiliated him. In his story, the main character
criticizes the girls’ appearances, mocks their boyfriends, and
Homicidal Ideations becomes enraged by the girls’ lack of respect for him. In the
end, the main character murders the girls one by one, while
…a revenge fantasy about still admiring their bodies, and then commits suicide as law
a middle school boy turned enforcement arrives. The characters in the story represented SB’s
serial killer who hated his
actual classmates from school, though the names were slightly
female classmates...
changed. SB said he did not share the story with anyone until 17
years later.
At the end of his senior year, SB was highlighted in the local newspaper as one of three newspaper
Carriers of the Month. He also received an athletic award in football, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout,
and was elected vice president of his senior class. While running against a female opponent in the
student body election, SB’s campaign slogan was “Vote [SB], because we don’t need no woman.”3
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of stalking, that ended in mass shootings and such, and I wouldn’t advocate stalking, as it can be
construed as complimentary for the ‘victim.’”7 SB described three additional past incidents that
involved him engaging in stalking behaviors, each of which contributed as inspiration for his song,
“Stalker.”
While still enrolled as a college student, SB harassed another woman, Harassment
this time a classmate at his university. According to SB, he and the
classmate had previously gone on a date, but when he approached …stood outside of the
her to chat after class one day, the classmate hid in the women’s restroom waiting for
restroom. SB stood outside of the restroom waiting for her until she her…
came out, at which point she exclaimed, “He’s still out there!”8 She
reported the encounter to school officials, and the Dean’s office
subsequently instructed SB to leave the classmate
alone. He responded that he would, if the classmate
left him alone. This was one of the additional
SB’s Behavior Toward Women Elicited
incidents that SB attributed as inspiration for his
Concern in Others
song, “Stalker.” Other incidents reportedly occurred
• Gyms, bars, and campus officials during this timeframe that involved SB getting
banned him. kicked out of or banned from bars for groping
• Employers fired him. women.
• Classmates avoided him and
reported him to school and campus In or around 2000, SB moved to the Washington,
officials. DC area for an undergraduate internship. According
• Roommates kept their friends away to SB, when his new roommates asked him if he
from him and called police. had a girlfriend, SB replied, “sure, she’s locked in
• A sibling suspected he was a serial my basement as we speak.”9 He later reported this
sniper and considered reporting interaction as the inspiration for writing a song
him as a suspect. titled “Locked in My Basement.” The song described
• His parents removed him from a an assailant drugging and chaining a woman in his
child’s party and locked their door basement, then torturing and sexually assaulting
as they slept. her, after she rejected him. SB later claimed these
• The military found him guilty of roommates robbed him while he was on break.
conduct unbecoming an officer and He also claimed that the roommates reported him
fraternizing with an enlisted to the police after becoming afraid for their lives.
person. Neither the alleged robbery nor the police report
• School district employees could be confirmed, and SB did not specify why his
recommended he not be hired. roommates became fearful.
• Students complained to parents
and school counselors when he was
a teacher.
• His friend’s wife called law
enforcement about his disturbing
writings.
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In 2002, SB graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and government. Soon after
graduation, he moved to Alexandria, VA. In October of that year, a series of sniper attacks took place
over a period of several weeks across the Washington, DC area, resulting in ten killed and three
seriously wounded. At the time, SB’s family was aware of his disturbing writings, and SB’s brother and
sister-in-law feared that SB might be the one perpetrating the killings. They were so concerned that
they considered contacting police to report SB as a possible suspect.
This was not the first time that SB’s family had been so alarmed by his behavior that they took action.
For example, after becoming aware of SB’s concerning writings, SB’s parents reportedly slept with
their bedroom door locked. At one point, SB’s parents found that he had been keeping a firearm
in the home without their knowledge and asked his brother to remove it. In another instance,
SB’s parents escorted him from his niece’s birthday party after other parents complained about SB
inappropriately touching the backsides of girls as he helped them from a waterslide. On another
occasion, SB’s brother became angry and demanded SB leave the house after learning that SB
entered his wife’s bedroom and stood over her at a time when he believed she was asleep.
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On January 30, 2008, SB joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as an officer six months later.
He served for a period in Germany, during which he was assigned to supply and logistics. SB later
said in a self-recorded video that he had a positive experience with a woman while in Germany. He
described her as his girlfriend and said she was “the best I was able to do.”10 He also said that she was
the only female he did not resent. Of note, his mother later told police that no one in the family ever
met this woman or even knew her name.
Sometime during SB’s military service, four female airmen in the U.S.
Blamed Others Air Force complained about his inappropriate interactions with them
…went on to while in Amsterdam. In a video posted to social media years later, SB
complain that he was dismissed the accusation, simply stating, “I got too rowdy for their
backstabbed by his sensibilities.”11 He reflected that this incident contributed to the rebirth
military superiors... of his misogyny. SB went on to complain that he was backstabbed by
his military superiors at the time because he felt that they should have
believed his story instead of the four female airmen’s account.
A U.S. Army evaluation dated January 21, 2010 noted SB displayed “difficulty assimilating to the Army
and demonstrating Army values.”12 It also noted that SB violated a direct order and demonstrated
poor judgment and decision-making. The evaluation described him as someone who would lie and
lacked integrity. SB was not recommended for a promotion. At some point, an investigation was
initiated against SB due to his “inappropriate contact with female
soldiers.”13 It is not clear if this investigation was related to the earlier Stressor
complaints against SB by the four female airmen in Amsterdam. …honorably discharged
Regardless, as a result of the investigation, the Army found SB for “unacceptable
guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and fraternizing with an conduct.”
enlisted person. On June 9, 2010, SB was honorably discharged for
“unacceptable conduct.”14
Following his discharge, SB moved back home to Vestal, NY and lived with his parents for a short
time. Then in 2011, he enrolled in graduate school at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee,
FL, where his behavior continued to elicit concern. One woman who knew him at the time noted
that she and other classmates would go out of their way to avoid him because of his inappropriate
behaviors. Those who met SB during open mic nights at a comedy
Elicited Concern club reported that he was strange and told offensive, racist, and
antisemitic jokes. Other comedians said they did not like SB or his
…classmates would comedy. Though one of the employees at the club also worked at Hot
go out of their way to Yoga Tallahassee, she did not remember SB from the comedy club or
avoid him… anywhere else.
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SB’s roommates in Tallahassee later described him as odd and Bizarre Behavior/
obnoxious. They said SB would sit in the living room drinking Elicited Concern
beer in his briefs and refused to put on pants, even when the
roommates’ friends came over. SB would also make inappropriate “There was concern for
comments when their girlfriends visited. One roommate described sure. But there wasn't
how SB behaved towards women, stating “he was very weird enough evidence…”
and made everyone uncomfortable…it worried me at the time.
There was concern for sure. But there wasn't enough evidence, “We compared him to Ted
Bundy…It was the way he
and I would have been wasting the police's time if I had made any
lurked and followed girls.”
kind of report. I had nothing.”15 The roommate described how - Former roommate
he thought SB was mentally ill and perhaps suffered from post-
traumatic stress disorder from his time in the military. Eventually,
SB’s roommates decided they would not leave any of their guests
alone with SB, regardless of whether the guests were women or men. “We compared him to Ted
Bundy back then,” the roommate later said, “it was the way he lurked and followed girls.”16
SB admired Ted Bundy, the serial killer who confessed to killing 30
Interest in Violence
women in 7 states, including Florida, from 1974 to 1978. According to
…references to SB, he tried to locate the sorority house where Bundy targeted some
notorious serial killers of his victims. He documented this, writing “I drove down sorority
and serial rapists with row, so I can check that box. Christians have their Via Delorosa in
whom he identified. Jerusalem- I walked that, not bad- and I have mine.”17 Scattered
throughout SB’s descriptions of his own songs were references to
notorious serial killers and serial rapists with whom he identified. In
addition to Bundy, these references included Paul Kenneth Bernardo and Christopher Bernard Wilder,
also known as the Beauty Queen Killer. These serial killers and rapists were responsible for the murder
or sexual assault of dozens of women in the 1980s and early 1990s, in locations including Florida. SB
described his song “Wilder,” writing:
“Incidentally enough, [Wilder] and Bundy both rubbed elbows in Tallahassee, spiritually, anyway- Bundy
with his sorority house mayhem, and Wilder with his abduction from the Governor's Square parking lot. I
suppose I've rubbed elbows with both of them as well, living there for as long as I did, and retracing their
steps, visiting their old haunts, etc. What a fraternity. I think he and Ted must be great friends in hell, and
have in-depth and fascinating conversations. They have so much in common. I've gotta get in on that,
when I arrive.”18
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On May 3, 2013, SB graduated from FSU with two master's degrees, one in public administration and
the other in urban and regional planning. In the following years, SB attempted to maintain contact
with a friend from graduate school. The two had spent time watching sports together but were not
particularly close. Though the friend later moved to Colorado, SB called
him constantly, sometimes throughout the night. Occasionally, the
friend would call SB to check up on him, but their conversations were Interpersonal Difficulties
never personal and instead focused on sports. SB called this friend …the friend blocked
a total of 831 times over an unknown timeframe, and eventually the SB’s calls due to their
friend blocked SB’s calls due to their intrusive nature. SB’s last attempt intrusive nature.
to contact the friend was just two days before the shooting at Hot
Yoga Tallahassee.
Despite having finished his studies, SB returned to the FSU campus
Inappropriate Behavior in June 2014. A campus employee reported that SB was following
a female volleyball coach at the campus gym, after which, police
A campus employee issued him a trespass warning. A few weeks later, SB was spotted
reported that SB was on campus again and was arrested for trespassing. As a result of the
following a female
charges, he completed a misdemeanor diversion program and a work
volleyball coach…
program. He was also banned from the FSU campus. At the time, SB
was unemployed and received $1,560 in annual Veterans Affairs (VA)
disability benefits for tinnitus.
Even though it was SB’s own inappropriate behavior towards women Intense/Escalating Anger
that got him kicked out of or banned from various locations, his anger
grew with each occurrence. When he described his inspiration for his “I add ammo and
barrels of fuel to the
song “I Hate the Whole World,” SB wrote “I add ammo and barrels of
warehouse, every
fuel to the warehouse, every time such persecution happens. How time such persecution
long, before it ignites, before the entire warehouse explodes, and happens.”
wipes out everything in a lengthy radius? It may only take a spark, a - SB
match, a small, lighted match.” 23
The following month, SB shared two of his stories with a childhood friend. The first story was Rejected
Youth, the novella he wrote before his senior year in high school. The second, 18 and Life, was also
written during high school. 18 and Life was the basis for his song
“End of the World,” which describes the end of a relationship.24 As
Concerning Communications
SB had no true experience with romantic relationships, he based
The friend who received the writings on the end of a brotherly friendship. The friend who
SB’s stories found them too received SB’s stories found them too disturbing to read, but SB
disturbing to read... continued to send material of this nature up until the shooting at
the yoga studio.
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Move to Deltona, FL
Target-Related Behavior
While unemployed in May 2016, SB conducted his first known …first known Internet
Internet search for “Tallahassee hot yoga.”27 This search led him to the search for “Tallahassee
hot yoga.”
Hot Yoga Tallahassee website, which he then accessed.
Soon after, on June 1, 2016, SB approached a woman sunbathing at
the swimming pool of his apartment complex in Tallahassee. After the woman refused his offer to
apply sunscreen on her body, SB slapped, grabbed, and shook her backside. Law enforcement was
notified, and SB was arrested and charged with battery. However, the
Mental Health charges were ultimately dropped after SB completed court-mandated
counseling with a sex-addiction therapist. He later described the
…completed court- counseling as a “racket.”28 This was not the first time he was court-
mandated counseling ordered to attend mental health services. According to SB, he was
with a sex-addiction ordered to attend treatment four separate times due to his behavior
therapist. with women and his mania, the first of which dated back to high
school.
Meanwhile, just a week after his arrest, SB’s apartment complex served him a lease termination due
to his conduct at the pool. The termination instructed him to vacate his apartment within seven days
or face legal action. That same day, SB conducted his first of many
online searches for a cheerleading camp held at a resort in Panama Stressor
City, FL. The complex filed an eviction complaint and lien with the
county court after SB failed to vacate his apartment on time. The …lease termination due
complaint was dismissed a few weeks later after SB moved out of the to his conduct…
apartment.
In September 2016, SB rented a room in a single-family home in Deltona, FL that he found online. He
resided there with his new roommate, who owned the home, until the shooting at the yoga studio.
The roommate later described SB as a recluse and a loner, and said he never learned much about SB
because they rarely spent time together. The roommate described SB’s clothing as much too small for
him and said SB ate his food straight out of cans, a habit SB claimed was developed during his two
years in the military. Concerned for his wellbeing, the roommate purchased SB food and clothing.
After the shooting at Hot Yoga Tallahassee, SB’s mother told the roommate that SB “spoke well of him
and must have liked him or else [SB] would have killed him.” 29
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A few months after moving to Deltona, SB spent time with a woman Beliefs
he met through the same social media website that he used in
2013. The woman was a psychologist and later commented that she …he would unexpectedly
noticed SB’s “disturbing character traits” and was offended by his speak about weapons and
racist comments. On a few occasions, SB “flashed a pistol around.”
30 his support for Hitler’s
genocide.
31
The woman said she did not have any issue with the firearm itself,
but she found the way he brandished it inappropriate. During a New
Year’s Eve party, SB reportedly made aggressive attempts to get
the woman to go home with him. Other group members SB met through the same website referred
to him as a Nazi because he would unexpectedly speak about weapons and his support for Hitler’s
genocide. He also bragged about killing people while in the military, though there is no evidence to
support this claim.
Inappropriate Behavior Beginning in early 2017, SB applied for 55 jobs with the State of Florida
but was not selected for any of the positions. He eventually found
…would stare at female employment as a substitute teacher in a Florida county school district,
students and give them and later obtained a full-time teaching position at a middle school
nicknames… for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. During this timeframe, SB
continued to exhibit inappropriate interest in women and girls. In July,
he conducted another online search for the cheerleading camp in
Panama City. In addition, after he began his full-time middle school teaching position, three sisters
who attended the school told a parent and a school guidance counselor that SB made them feel
uncomfortable. The girls reported that SB would stare at female students and give them nicknames,
but he did not act the same way toward male students. At the end of August 2017, just two weeks
after starting the position, SB was fired from the middle school for “classroom performance issues,”
yet he could continue working as a substitute teacher in the same district.32
As a substitute teacher, SB worked in 21 different schools within
the district, including elementary, middle, and high schools. In Elicited Concern
October 2017, a parent called the school where he was teaching to
“…lazy, detached, and
discuss her concerns about SB’s prior arrests for battery, as well as his downright strange.”
concerning social media content, which she referred to as “red flags”
in his background.33 Whether the school district addressed these …he gave off a
concerns is unclear. Later, after the attack at the yoga studio, former “psychopath vibe...”
middle school students of SB’s recalled their concerns. These students
described him as being “lazy, detached, and downright strange,” that …he “put you on
he gave off a “psychopath vibe, like someone crazy,” that he “put you edge...”
on edge,” and that he “was really creepy.” 34 - SB’s former students
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In February 2018, while still employed as a substitute teacher, SB occasionally rented time in an
individual’s at-home recording studio to record songs. Over the years, he had written more than
100 songs, and recorded over two dozen of them. The owner of the studio described SB as “a bit
odd…little slow…uncomfortable,” noting “there were many flags.”35 Though SB had hired others to
assist with accompanying music, some of his songs consisted of him simply tapping the beat as he
recorded the vocals, which were significantly off-key. His songs often involved themes of misogyny,
racism, blaming others, anger, and violence. SB listed the title and a description for each song that he
posted on a website he purchased sometime after August 2017. For example:
“Submit- A fun little ditty, in a horrendous and malevolent context, of
course…If any female is reading, you have NO idea the nausea, the Blame Others
increased heart-rate, the fear that some poor adolescent must contend “…you plant a seed of
with and overcome, to approach a female and proposition her, because violence, whether or not
he is told that he must and she won’t approach him, and if anything is you acknowledge it or
going to occur, the onus is on him. This he endures, to approach YOU, not. I promise you.”
whoever the individual is, and you should be honored. Do NOT pull a - SB
Chernobyl; do not run off all flustered; do NOT laugh at him or shoot him
down, because when you do, you plant a seed of violence, whether or
not you acknowledge it or not. I promise you.” 36
Intense Anger/
“Feeling the Impulse- My fury and indignity have been such a part of me Homicidal Ideations
for so long, I can hardly remember when I was free of them. Probably 7th
grade. I go to sleep with them every night. A long time ago, I had sexual “…I picture in big red
fantasies at night. Anymore, when I lie in bed at night, I picture in big letters against the wall
red letters against the wall 'Kill', or 'There is, an Answer.' I have fantasies, ‘Kill’…”
much different than the ones I had as a kid- these became the basis of - SB
the ultimate and final version of the song.” 37
“I Will Not Touch You (My Bullets Will)- This seems to have gained new relevance, with all the nonsense and
shenanigans occurring nowadays, that are destroying so many men’s lives. I recall hearing a narrative from
caller into a radio show once, who’d been royally screwed by the system, saying, ‘if I didn’t have kids, I would
do something terrible.’ Well, I don’t have kids, but, hmm…” 38
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During the month of October, SB made final preparations for his attack, which included:
• October 2: Accessed the online class schedule for Hot Yoga Tallahassee.
• October 8: Accessed the online class schedule for Hot Yoga Tallahassee and checked the local
weather forecast.
• October 14: Made a reservation at a hotel located
four minutes away from Hot Yoga Tallahassee for Planning Behaviors
October 31 through November 1. • Online research of two potential
• October 18 and 19: Made calls to cancel his targets
psychiatric appointment at the VA. • Traveled to potential target
• October 25: Worked on the last song he uploaded to • Contacted target by phone
his website, called “Fuck ‘Em All.” • Weapons acquisition
• October 27: Purchased ammunition consistent with • Weapons practice
what he used in the attack. • Acquired maps/diagrams
• October 29: Used the recording studio for the last • Made hotel reservations,
time and called his childhood friend with whom he extended stay
had shared his website, writings, and song lyrics. • Purchased supplies (e.g., ear
Nothing was noted as being unusual about SB’s protection and yoga mat)
behavior by either contact. • Final acts:
• October 30: Pawned a handgun he had purchased in - Cancelled psychiatric
2009. appointment
• October 31: Checked into the hotel, purchased - Wrote message
hearing protection and a yoga mat, texted his - Called friends
roommate to let him know he would pay rent when - Texted roommate about rent
he returned on November 1, extended his hotel - Finished final song and
reservation by two additional days to November 3, uploaded content to the web
and called a friend from graduate school to chat
about sports.
On November 2, 2018, the day of the shooting, SB uploaded his song, “Fuck ‘Em All,” to a public
music-sharing website. The song described SB’s frustration over his failures in life, including failed
employment, relationships with women, and overall life goals. He also uploaded 27 of his songs to
another audio website. Prior to leaving his hotel room, SB left a note that referred to the then-U.S.
president in racist language and railed against America’s racially integrated society, writing in part:
“If I can’t find one decent female to live with, I will find many indecent females to die with. If they are intent
on denying me life, I will have no choice, but to deny them life… Their arrogance, indifference and treachery
will finally be exposed, and punished. If I can’t make a living, I will make a killing…I will be successful with
females: if I can’t be successful at being positive, I will be successful at being negative. This is in their court,
however. This is not what I wanted. No kid sits in their room at night dreaming of this. It has come to this
though, and I simply have no choice at this point. It is a moral imperative.” 42
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Around 4:35 p.m., SB left his hotel with a Glock pistol and a yoga mat. At 5:05 p.m., he made his last
call to the owner of the recording studio. At 5:17 p.m., he arrived at Hot Yoga Tallahassee and signed
up for the 5:30 p.m. class using his first and middle names. He then went outside and paced for
about 20 minutes. He also entered and exited the studio several times. At one point, while inside the
studio, he asked when the more crowded classes were held. The studio’s employee later stated that
SB looked disappointed there were so few people registered for the 5:30 p.m. class. SB entered the
studio for the last time at 5:29 p.m. By 5:35 p.m., the class was already underway. The yoga instructor
directed SB to remove his shoes and socks, and to leave his belongings in a cubby outside the room.
SB exited the room to unwrap his yoga mat and begin stretching. He then reentered, stopped in the
doorway, and said, “But I have a question.”43 He then put on his hearing protection and drew the
Glock pistol. The instructor asked what he was doing as SB opened fire at random.
SB shot six people during the attack before his pistol malfunctioned, at which time a class member
struck him with a vacuum cleaner and a broom. This allowed time for others to escape. Once
he resolved the weapon malfunction, SB said something unintelligible and fatally shot himself.
Tragically, two of the victims who were shot later died at the hospital.
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Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the importance of using a behavioral threat assessment approach that
involves various community stakeholders who may be in a position to intervene with an individual
who is escalating to violence. A superficial look at SB’s personal history reveals an individual who
pursued higher education, served in the military, and held highly regarded professional positions of
trust. However, a more complete and multidisciplinary assessment reveals objectively concerning
behavior that continued for decades (see table on page 23). At times, SB’s behavior elicited concern
from parents, siblings, friends, roommates, coworkers, workplace managers, school officials, students,
law enforcement, the online community, neighbors, and other community members.
This case study also highlights the specific threat posed by misogynistic extremism. Hatred of
women, and the gender-based violence that is associated with it, requires increased attention from
everyone with a role in public safety. Regardless of whether an individual self-affixes a label to their
extremist beliefs, such as “incel” or “anti-feminist,” the individual’s behavior should remain the primary
focus. In this case, SB’s misogynistic views and associated behavior resulted in him being fired from
multiple jobs, being banned from public locations, and being arrested.
When conducting a behavioral threat assessment involving an individual who has elicited concern
and subscribes to an extreme belief system, the investigation should not be limited to the ideology
itself. NTAC research has shown that attackers’ motives are often multifaceted. Beyond ideology,
other personal elements also contribute to behaviors of concern, including desperation or despair,
a need for belonging or connection with others, and a desire for attention or notoriety. Investigators
should attempt to identify the origin and development of the ideology, which may help in assessing
what the individual would hope to achieve through violence.
Also note that the decision to carry out a violent act may occur well before a specific target is
selected. As demonstrated in this case study by SB researching yoga studios and cheerleading
camps, an individual plotting an attack may explore multiple targets during the planning process
before making their final selection. When seeking to prevent violent acts from coming to fruition,
investigators must consider any potential targets that may achieve the plotter’s intended goals and
desired outcomes.
Finally, NTAC research has shown that there is no one profile of an individual who plans or
executes an act of targeted violence. Attackers vary in age, race, sex, education level, employment
history, and other characteristics. What most attackers share, however, are observable concerning
behaviors displayed prior to engaging in violence. Although every act of targeted violence may
not be prevented, the risk of future tragedies can be reduced if the appropriate systems are in
place to identify the warning signs, gather information to assess the risk of violence, and apply the
appropriate community resources.
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SB’s Background
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Endnotes
1
Zimmerman, G.A. (2021, September 9). Killer’s misogyny started in 3rd grade when he tried to forcibly kiss girls. CBS News. https://www.yahoo.com/news/
killers-misogyny-started-3rd-grade-135100897.html.
2
SB (n.d.). Plight of the adolescent male [Video]. YouTube.
3
Hendrix, S. (2019, June 7). [SB]’s attack on a Florida yoga studio was fueled by male supremacy, a movement with ties to other hate groups. The Washington
Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/local/yoga-shooting-incel-attack-fueled-by-male-supremacy/.
4
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
5
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
6
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
7
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
8
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
9
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
10
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
Zaveri, M., Jacobs, J., & Mervosh, S. (2018, November 4). Gunman in yoga studio shooting recorded misogynistic videos and faced battery charges. The
11
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28
Hendrix, S. (2019, June 7). [SB]’s attack on a Florida yoga studio was fueled by male supremacy, a movement with ties to other hate groups.
The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/local/yoga-shooting-incel-attack-fueled-by-male-supremacy/.
29
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
30
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
31
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
Burlew, J. (2018, November 5). Five months before yoga studio shooting, gunman was fired in Volusia for touching student. Tallahassee Democrat. https://
32
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/11/05/yoga-studio-gunman-fired-substitute-teacher-touching-girl/1893165002/.
Burlew, J. (2018, November 5). Five months before yoga studio shooting, gunman was fired in Volusia for touching student. Tallahassee Democrat. https://
33
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/11/05/yoga-studio-gunman-fired-substitute-teacher-touching-girl/1893165002/.
Danner, C. (2018, November 4). What to know about the Tallahassee yoga studio attack. New York Magazine. http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/
34
what-to-know-about-the-tallahassee-yoga-studio-attack.html.
35
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
36
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
37
SB (n.d.). Homicidal impulse. Path of Defiance.
38
SB (n.d.). American whore. Path of Defiance.
39
Allbrittin, D. (2018, November 6). Yoga studio shooting: Gunman’s ex-student describes bizarre classroom behavior. WSB-TV 2 Atlanta. https://www.wsbtv.
com/news/trending-now/yoga-studio-shooting-gunman-s-ex-student-describes-bizarre-classroom-behavior/867482318.
40
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
41
Hendrix, S. (2019, June 7). [SB]’s attack on a Florida yoga studio was fueled by male supremacy, a movement with ties to other hate groups.
The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/local/yoga-shooting-incel-attack-fueled-by-male-supremacy/.
42
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
43
Tallahassee Police Department. (2018). Field case report supplement: Case# 201800034992. https://www.talgov.com/uploads/public/documents/tpd/
tpd_individual_redacted.pdf.
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• Investigating Ideologically Inspired Violent Extremists: Local Partners Are an Asset. A Case
Study on Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad. (December 2015).
• Exploring the Effects of Stressors in Threat Assessment Investigations: A Case Study on Bart
Allen Ross. (December 2015).
• Using a Systems Approach for Threat Assessment Investigations: A Case Study on Jared Lee
Loughner. (December 2015).
• Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model: An Operational Guide for
Preventing Targeted School Violence. (July 2018).
• Protecting America’s Schools: A U.S. Secret Service Analysis of Targeted School Violence.
(November 2019).
• Averting Targeted School Violence: A U.S. Secret Service Analysis of Plots Against Schools.
(March 2021).
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NATIONAL THREAT ASSESSMENT CENTER
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY