An irate McDonald’s customer threatened to execute everyone in the restaurant after he was unable to get a Happy Meal. James Springer, a 36-year-old from Stafford, Virginia, is said to have arrived at his local McDonald’s location just before 10 a.m. and became angry when he was told that it was too early to order the children’s combo. He launched into a rant, claiming that he would come back and kill everyone before leaving the premises. He was arrested by Stafford County sheriffs soon after.
- McDonald’s employees called the police immediately. Several witnesses reported seeing Springer’s behavior and hearing his threat to “execute everyone,” and given the seriousness of those threats, staff immediately called the authorities. “Deputies were working to identify the suspect when a brandishing call was dispatched at Stafford Marketplace. The victim reported the driver of a white Toyota Yaris pointed a handgun at her and her passengers while passing through the merge area at Garrisonville Road and I-95,” the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.
- Springer’s spree didn’t end after leaving McDonald’s. As officers searched for Springer, further reports came in of a man threatening people with a gun in the nearby area. According to the victim, they were parked in the lot of a Panera Bread when Springer drove in and pointed a gun at them unprovoked. It was clear from the description given that it was Springer.
- It didn’t take long to catch up with him. “As the search for the suspect continued, the Aquia McDonalds called to report the irate DoorDash driver had returned,” the post continued. “Deputy S.M. Eastman arrived and took the suspect into custody without incident. It was learned the suspect had used abusive and threatening language toward a customer during this visit.” In his car, they found a black BB gun that was confiscated.
- Springer was charged with pretty tame crimes, considering. Springer was booked and charged with disorderly conduct, abusive language, and four counts of brandishing. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 bond but it’s unclear whether he had a lawyer or was able to post the bond to be released.
