Posted on 11/06/2026 6:07:10 AM PST by Twotone
The Red Baron employee who went viral last week for confronting a prankster has thanked supporters and asked them to help others after a fundraiser for his family collected nearly $800,000.
The worker, identified on the fundraiser as Walt Z, left a comment on the GoFundMe started for him by Luke Oakenshield, a military veteran from Chandler, Arizona, who didn’t know Walt before the incident.
As of Thursday, the collection had skyrocketed to $787,477 before the fundraiser was paused.
“Your kind words have meant the world to my family and I this past week. I still cannot believe how much you have all rallied behind us, and I can never thank you enough. I’ve been able to spend lots of extra time at home with my family this week,” Walt wrote in his update.
“I’ve also stayed in touch with Luke, and I look forward to continuing that friendship as he navigates all the blessings that have come his way.”
Walt said he’d decided not to give any interviews to protect his family’s “safety and privacy,” and was pausing donations after a week of support. He asked those who felt compelled to give more to “consider supporting another fundraiser, a local charity, or a church helping families in need this holiday season.”
“This will be my last update as I focus on my family, and we enjoy the holidays together,” Walt’s statement concluded. “Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for making my family feel so supported. We will never forget it.”
The outpouring followed a viral video showing Walt stocking freezer shelves in his Red Baron uniform when one of the pranksters asked him the time. When Walt took out his smartphone, the person pretended to steal money by scanning it with his own phone while playing a pre-recorded Apple Pay sound.
Walt responded by describing the long hours he worked and his struggle to support his four children.
“My life is hard enough as it is, okay? I don’t need this crap,” Walt says in the video.
“Bro, bro, it’s just a joke! It’s just a prank,” the person filming replies.
“I got kids at home that went to bed without me right now! I was supposed to be off an hour ago! I gotta wake up at 5 in the morning and do 10 more stores!” Walt says, becoming emotional.
“I’m sorry, bro, chill. We’re just filming a video; it was just a joke,” the person replies as Walt cuts him off and steps forward.
“No, you don’t! You’re probably making money off of this! I can’t even pay my goddamn mortgage! And I got four kids at home! So not funny!” Walt can be heard shouting.
The pranksters originally uploaded the video to Instagram, but the account was deactivated after the video went viral across multiple social media platforms.
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We all do things we’re not proud of. This prankster learned a valuable lesson and many of our values were confirmed. Will people who think it’s ok to make fun of strangers learn? The guy was working-doing God’s work.
I can see the welfare system helping out these guys in a supplemental manner provided they show proof of putting in a full work week. Nothing for couch-sitters. There are people on food stamps getting guys like Walt Z gather their groceries at Safeway so they don’t even have to enter the store. You won’t hear it from the left.
It would be funny if the “prankster” were found by WM in a dumpster somewhere along I80, his iPhone locked in the firm grip of rigor mortis, one final prank to say goodbye, “bro”.
Class act, guy refuses to accept more charity.
Walt Z of Red Baron Pizza represents a lot of frustrated Americans just trying to get by - support a family, pay his mortgage, facing ever rising prices and live his life free of harassment and interference.
Some say he is the face and voice of disgruntled voters who put the Democrats back into power - hoping they will fix the issue of “affordability” - which Democrats will only make worse.
I hate pranks, I hate practical jokes. They, not puns, are the lowest form of “humor”. They are always, at their core, uncharitable, manipulating people’s emotions for a cheap laugh.
Should have been throat-punched, just for saying that.
“ I hate pranks, I hate practical jokes.”
“Practical jokers should be rewarded according to their ability. Bastinado is about right. Staking to an anthill should be reserved for the very best of them.” Robert Heinlein.
L
The ability to effectively “pun” requires intelligence and true mastery of the language. People who denigrate puns are just too damn dumb to get the joke.
1000% agree on so-called pranks or “practical” jokes. “Pranksters” are cruel and psychopathic.
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