Red Baron Worker’s Viral Confrontation Spurs $480K+ GoFundMe, Employee of Month Nominations Closed

Viral video leads to massive fundraiser and company response

A video posted on Instagram by @thea.ctiveworld (also known as ThreeOfAKind) captured Red Baron employee Walt Z confronting a prankster who pretended to steal $10 using an Apple Pay sound while Z was stocking frozen pizzas.

In the exchange, Z said, “I’m not in the mood for this crap right now,” added, “You think this is funny don’t you?” and emphasized that “It’s not a joke to me.” He also mentioned his mortgage, four children at home, and a work schedule that could require him back at 5 a.m. the next day.

Following the clip’s removal from Instagram, a GoFundMe campaign was launched for Z. By Friday morning, the fundraiser had raised more than $480,000.

Red Baron Pizza announced that employee‑of‑the‑month nominations were closed after the incident spread online.

The campaign was created by Dom Certalic, with homeless veteran Luke Oakenshield identified as the organizer who helped raise a quarter‑million dollars for Z. Oakenshield, who suffers from PTSD, later received his own GoFundMe that has amassed over $35,000 to cover housing, transportation and debt needs.

Walt Z thanked donors, supporters and those who shared the fundraiser.