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A video of a Red Baron pizza worker who was confronted by a prankster while on the job has gone viral, sparking a huge outpouring of support for the man from strangers and his employer alike — with the company telling Digital it stands behind its employee.
A video that circulated online shows the worker, identified in a GoFundMe fundraiser as Walt Z., stocking frozen Red Baron pizzas in a Meijer grocery store in White Lake, Michigan, according to reports.
The prankster is shown coming up to Walt and asking him for the time.
Then, as Walt takes out his phone to check, the person plays a sound resembling an Apple Pay transaction and claims to have stolen $10 from him, thanking him and telling him he needs to buy something.
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Walt initially says he plans to report the prankster and becomes increasingly upset as the person insists it was just a joke.
“My life is hard enough as it is,” Walt tells the prankster.
A Red Baron worker’s confrontation with a prankster has gone viral, drawing support from viewers and his employer. (iStock)
He explains that he was already an hour late getting home, his children had already gone to bed without him and he would have to get up at 5 a.m. the next day for work.
He also mentions that he is struggling to pay his mortgage.
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“I don’t need this in my life,” he exclaims as others try to step in.
The footage went viral on social media this week as people bashed the prankster and rallied behind the struggling father of four for pushing back on the cruel joke.
“There’s a guy like him in every grocery store in America, grinding through the shift nobody sees,” one X user wrote.
“Turning one of them into the punchline isn’t edgy. It’s lazy.”
“God bless the working man,” another commenter wrote.
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Digital attempted to reach Walt Z. and also reached out Red Baron.
As of Saturday, Oct. 31, a GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $679,000 from over 19,000 donations.
The fundraiser says donations will be sent directly to Walt.
Thousands rallied behind the man called Walt Z. (not pictured) after a video showed him confronting a prankster while stocking pizzas in a grocery store. (iStock)
Red Baron also publicly backed its employee after the video circulated.
The company posted on X, “He’s still here. He’s got a fan club. Including us,” alongside a graphic announcing that “employee of the month nominations are closed. You know why” — suggesting that Walt might be selected for the honor.
Red Baron told Digital the incident took place in August and involved a member of its Direct Store Delivery team.
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The company said it had checked on the employee’s well-being, continues to offer support and is working with retail partners to help maintain a safe and respectful workplace.
While internet users feared Walt could lose his job over his reaction to the incident, the company said, “We are pleased to share that he is doing well and remains a valued member of our team.”
The incident took place at a Meijer grocery store in White Lake, Michigan, according to media reports. (Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Red Baron added that Walt is grateful for the support but has requested privacy.
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In an update posted to the fundraiser, Walt thanked those who donated, shared the campaign or sent messages of support.
He said he and his family are doing well and also asked that their privacy be respected.
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“I wanted to take a moment to personally thank everyone who has donated, shared this fundraiser, or left a kind message,” Walt Z. wrote on the fundraiser page.
“The kindness and encouragement you’ve shown me and my family have meant more than I can put into words.”
