Teen threatens to shoot McDonald's over wrong order

In the United States, a troubling incident unfolded involving an 18-year-old named Dayton Schaffer, who was arrested for making threatening phone calls to a McDonald's in north Lakeland after his order was mishandled. This incident occurred late at night on June 30, 2025, around 11:30 PM, when Schaffer contacted the restaurant three times to express his anger about not receiving his chicken nuggets along with his meal. After the first call, the manager attempted to resolve the issue by apologizing and promising to correct the order, but Schaffer continued to make threats, indicating that he would 'shoot this s**t up'. The manager, alarmed by the threats, promptly reported the calls to law enforcement, leading to a swift investigation by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Authorities traced the calls back to Schaffer, who admitted to making them but claimed they were intended as a joke. However, the seriousness of the threat took precedence, and Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the gravity of Schaffer's behavior during a public announcement, dismissing the idea that it could be construed as humorous. Law enforcement took the situation seriously, resulting in Schaffer's arrest on charges of making a false report concerning the use of a firearm and the misuse of a two-way communication device. As a consequence of his actions, Schaffer now faces serious legal repercussions that include potential felony charges under Florida law, with a false report being categorized as a second-degree felony and misuse of a communication device as a third-degree felony. This incident raised concerns about the increasing frequency of threats of violence over relatively minor issues, especially in public settings like fast-food restaurants, which are meant to serve as safe spaces for families and communities. In conclusion, this event highlights not only the need for appropriate responses to threats made in anger but also the role of restaurants and service providers in ensuring customer satisfaction without being subjected to intimidation or violence. The use of humor in response to such serious threats, as exhibited by Sheriff Judd, suggests a community-driven effort to address underlying issues while maintaining public safety.