Inset: Dayton Schaffer (Polk County Sheriff’s Office). Background: McDonald’s in Lakeland, Florida, the location Shaffer is accused of threatening (Google Maps).
Authorities report that a Florida man ended up in jail after he used his own phone three times to call McDonald’s, threatening to “shoot this place up.” This was allegedly in response to them not including Chicken McNuggets in his order.
Dayton Wayne Schaffer, 18, faces charges of using a communication device to commit a felony and making a false report of a bomb or weapon of mass destruction.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was sure to fit in as many McDonald’s puns as he could in a video announcing the arrest.
“This guy acted like a McNut,” Judd quipped. “So this McNut didn’t get his McNuggets from McDonald’s. On three different occasions, he threatens to shoot the place up. He uses all kinds of foul language… So he used his Mcphone to make a Mcthreat to McDonald’s.”
Employees called deputies around 1 a.m. Wednesday to report the threat. In the calls, he allegedly threatened to “shoot it up” and “shoot this s— up,” a probable cause arrest affidavit said.
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“McDonald’s staff advised they were concerned about the threats, locking all doors, and calling the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,” deputies wrote.
Cops were able to tie the phone to Schaffer. They went to his home and his mother confirmed the phone belonged to him, police said. Deputies tracked Shaffer down at a buddy’s house.
Post-Miranda, Shaffer admitted to making the call because they messed up his $5 meal deal.
“He claimed it was a joke and did not have any intentions of shooting anyone at McDonald’s,” deputies wrote.
Judd noted that when Shaffer called, the manager said if he came back, they would give him his nuggets. But that offer was met with vulgarities.
“His rant went on and his rant went on and his rant went on,” said Judd.
Shaffer remained in the Polk County Jail without bond. He has a court date scheduled for Aug. 5.
