Authorities in Cambria County say a local grocery store employee is jailed after he reportedly threatened to carry out a “mass shooting” at his workplace.
Adams Township police say 25-year-old Dylan Shaffer, of Salix, was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly made threats to harm his fellow employees and customers while playing online video games on Xbox.
According to the affidavit, police were contacted about the threats after a fellow gamer, who lives in Minnesota, reportedly became concerned about statements that Shaffer had allegedly made while the two were gaming on Tuesday night.
Investigators say Shaffer reportedly made several comments about wanting to carry out a mass shooting at his place of employment, which was identified as Market Basket, in Richland Township.
Police say the alleged conversation between Shaffer and the other gamer was recorded in the online Xbox chat room.
According to a recording of the conversation, police say Shaffer reportedly stated that he was “sick of people” and referred to the store’s customers as “[expletive] idiots.”
Police say the fellow gamer also reportedly asked Shaffer why he was so upset and why he would consider “bringing a gun to the store and shooting people who did nothing wrong.”
Authorities say Shaffer allegedly responded by saying, “they always do things wrong.”
Police say that when they questioned Shaffer on Wednesday, he reportedly denied making any concerning statements about harming his fellow employees or the store’s customers.
Investigators noted that the store also briefly closed due to the alleged threats.
According to online court records, Shaffer was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on multiple threat charges, as well as one felony count of criminal use of a communication device.
He is jailed at the Cambria County Prison with his bail denied, for safety reasons.