A Pennsylvania grocery store employee was arrested after allegedly making mass shooting threats while gaming on Xbox. Authorities in Cambria County say the suspect, 25-year-old Dylan Shaffer, was reported by an online gamer in Minnesota who recorded the conversation.
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, PA (3-minute read) — A Cambria County grocery store employee has been jailed after allegedly making mass shooting threats during an online Xbox game, prompting a police investigation and a temporary store shutdown.
According to Adams Township police, 25-year-old Dylan Shaffer, of Salix, made disturbing statements about harming employees and customers at the Market Basket in Richland Township. The allegations came to light when a fellow gamer in Minnesota, who was in an Xbox chat with Shaffer on Tuesday night, became concerned and reported the threats.
Authorities say the conversation was recorded, and in the chat, Shaffer allegedly expressed frustration, saying he was “sick of people” and referring to customers in a derogatory manner. When asked by the other gamer why he would consider such violence, Shaffer reportedly responded, “they always do things wrong.”
Police questioned Shaffer on Wednesday, but he denied making any threats. Despite his denial, investigators took the matter seriously, leading to his arrest on multiple charges, including felony criminal use of a communication device. Court records indicate that Shaffer was arraigned the same afternoon, and his bail was denied for safety reasons.
As a precaution, Market Basket briefly closed while authorities assessed the situation. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being vigilant online and reporting potential threats.
Safety Tip: Always take threats of violence seriously, whether they occur online or in person. If you hear concerning statements, report them to authorities immediately to help prevent potential harm.
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