Police arrested an Iowa man attempting to renew his gun permit at a sheriff’s office just one day after he left a voicemail threatening to conduct a mass shooting at Iowa State University’s graduation ceremony.
At a Glance
- Tanner Bandy, 28, has been charged with federal stalking after threatening an ISU mass shooting
- Authorities found guns, ammunition, and a printout of commencement details taped to his bathroom mirror
- The suspect was arrested while attempting to renew his gun permit, just one day after making explicit threats
- Police intercepted Bandy after his former romantic partner reported months of escalating threats
- State charges were dropped to allow federal prosecution to proceed
Another Armed Threat Stopped Just in Time
In what has become an all-too-familiar American story, law enforcement has once again intercepted a would-be mass shooter before tragedy struck. Tanner Bandy, a 28-year-old man from Nevada, Iowa, now faces federal stalking charges after allegedly planning a mass shooting at Iowa State University’s spring commencement ceremony. The case has been elevated from state to federal court, with local prosecutors dropping their charges to make way for what will likely be more severe federal penalties.
What makes this case particularly chilling is how blatantly Bandy telegraphed his intentions. After losing his job in early April, Bandy apparently decided to channel his rage toward a former romantic partner attending ISU, along with anyone else unfortunate enough to be celebrating their graduation that day. This wasn’t just idle talk – this guy was methodically preparing to execute his plans.
Following the Violence Playbook
ISU Police Chief Michael Newton didn’t mince words about the seriousness of the threat they uncovered. The timeline shows just how quickly law enforcement had to move to prevent what could have been another tragic headline. On April 15, Bandy left an explicit voicemail detailing his mass shooting plans. By April 16, his victim had reported the threat to ISU police. And on April 17, officials arrested Bandy at the sheriff’s office while he was attempting to renew his gun permit – with absolutely impeccable timing.
“It was clear to us he was on a, what we would call, a pathway to violence. He was already into the pre-prep, getting ready to prepare for an attack. And we knew at this point; we needed to get an intervention in place” said ISU police Chief Michael Newton.
A search of Bandy’s home revealed the disturbing extent of his preparations. Officers found multiple firearms, ammunition, and a printout of the commencement details taped to his bathroom mirror with the ceremony date highlighted in large print. If that doesn’t scream premeditation, I don’t know what does. The federal complaint noted that Bandy had “began exhibiting attack planning indicators” – bureaucrat-speak for “this guy was actively preparing to kill people.”
When Gun Rights Meet Responsibility
The evidence against Bandy is substantial and disturbing. Beyond the threatening voicemails and text messages that began in January, investigators discovered he had been shooting at a photo of a person at a firing range – information reported by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Police also found a Glock pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, $2,000 in cash, and additional ammunition in his possession.
“Two days prior to his arrest, on April 17, 2025, Bandy left a voicemail message discussing his intention to conduct a mass shooting at an Iowa State University commencement ceremony” the federal office said.
Look, I’m as staunch a defender of the Second Amendment as anyone, but this case perfectly illustrates why we need a system that can identify and stop dangerous individuals before they act. This isn’t about punishing law-abiding gun owners – it’s about recognizing when someone has clearly demonstrated they shouldn’t have access to firearms. When a person is making explicit threats and targeting specific events, that’s not protected speech or protected gun rights – that’s criminal behavior that demands swift intervention.
Vigilance Saves Lives
Bandy is scheduled to appear in court on May 1, where he’ll face federal charges that carry significantly heavier penalties than the state charges initially filed against him. And thank goodness for that. This case represents a rare win in our ongoing national struggle with mass shootings – a potential tragedy averted because someone spoke up, and law enforcement acted quickly. The unnamed victim who reported these threats likely saved countless lives.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa described how Bandy had “engaged in a pattern of threatening conduct against a former romantic partner through text messages and voicemails”
For once, the system worked as intended. A dangerous individual was identified, reported, and apprehended before carrying out his threats. The fact that Bandy was literally at the sheriff’s office trying to renew his gun permit when he was arrested is both ironic and terrifying. It shows just how brazen he had become, and how close this came to being yet another American tragedy instead of a success story for law enforcement.
