McDonald's Worker in Powell, Wyoming Arrested for Terroristic Threats After Workplace Outburst

Blaine Allen Duzan, a McDonald's employee in Powell, Wyoming, was arrested Wednesday on a felony charge of making terroristic threats after allegedly telling coworkers he would return to the restaurant the next day with a Glock handgun and shoot them. He made his initial appearance in Park County Circuit Court on Friday.

According to an affidavit of probable cause written by Powell Police Officer Matt Koritnik, the incident began when Duzan became upset after being told he might have to stay later than his scheduled shift. The alleged threat that followed was specific: a coworker reported that Duzan said, "I might as well just bring my Glock tomorrow and air this place out, starting with (a particular coworker)."

The threat was not reported in the moment. Another employee went to the Powell Police Department just after midnight Wednesday to describe what had happened. That reporting coworker also told police that Duzan had recently purchased a Glock handgun and had been discussing the firearm at work in the weeks prior to the incident. The coworker identified as the target of the alleged threat confirmed being made aware of it. Both workers, according to the affidavit, "stated they believed Duzan was serious and were concerned for the safety of employees working at McDonald's the following day."

After a supervisor learned of the threat, Duzan was sent home. Powell police then moved quickly: he was in custody by Wednesday, and in court by Friday.

Court records list no date of birth for Duzan, and no additional details about bond conditions or prosecutorial statements have been made available. No information about whether a weapon was recovered was included in the affidavit excerpts made public.

Someone who answered a call to the Powell McDonald's on Friday declined to give a name but pushed back on the severity of the charge. "It's something that got taken out of context," the person said, calling the felony charge of making terroristic threats "absurd. He's a great person."

That characterization did not align with the reaction of the coworkers who reported the incident, who felt strongly enough to walk into a police station after midnight rather than wait to see what the next shift would bring.