Armed Forces Career Center evacuated after bomb threat

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FBI is investigating after someone called in a bomb threat at a military recruitment center, Monday afternoon.

WINK News’ policy is normally not report on bomb threats because we do not want to encourage copycats from calling them in. However, because the threat targeted a military center, we felt it was newsworthy.

The Armed Forces Career Center on Fowler Street and Colonial Avenue is nestled into a small outdoor shopping center.

Nearby shopper Teresa Parker says she is concerned after learning about the threat.

“It’s very scary these days,” said Parker. “There’s a lot of lunatics out there.”

Fort Myers police, Lee County deputies and even Homeland Security officers raced to the recruitment center and evacuated the building.

“Everywhere you go these days, just driving down the road there is concern for your safety,” said Parker.

Surrounding businesses remained open throughout the day despite the threat.

The bomb scare comes just four months after a 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez gunned down four Marines and a sailor at a Naval and Marine reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

After the shooting, people demanded service members be allowed to carry guns at recruitment centers.

Though no bomb was found Monday, some people are calling for added security.

“The ones that fight for our country. It needs to go higher ups,” said Parker. “The higher ups need to do something.”