Two Teens Arrested After Pointing BB Guns at McDonald's Drive-Thru Worker

A drive-thru employee at the McDonald's on East Johnson Street in Fond du Lac was confronted by a customer who pointed what appeared to be a firearm at her window before fleeing west, triggering a police response that ended with two teenagers in custody and a Bear Cat armored rescue vehicle rolling through a residential intersection.

Fond du Lac Police Department officers were alerted around 5:15 p.m. on March 17. Witnesses told officers the suspects had been inside the restaurant before the incident, asking about a specific employee and "behaving in a manner that raised concern." One witness recognized one of the teenagers and shared concerns about that suspect's history of violent behavior and access to weapons. Police also learned during the investigation that one of the suspects may have sent threatening messages to the employee before the drive-thru confrontation.

Officers identified the two boys, ages 16 and 17, and located the vehicle associated with the incident on North Boardman Street. While maintaining surveillance, they coordinated a high-risk traffic stop near Portage and Butler streets, deploying the department's Bear Cat armored rescue vehicle along with other resources. Both teenagers were taken into custody without incident. The McDonald's secured its building as a protective measure while police worked the scene.

The weapons, initially reported as a handgun, turned out to be two realistic-looking BB guns. Officers obtained consent to search the main suspect's residence and recovered both firearms there, one of which was equipped with a tactical light and laser, giving it a more convincing appearance.

The 16-year-old is being held at the Fond du Lac County Secure Detention Center on suspicion of charges related to endangering safety and disorderly conduct, along with several ordinance violations. The 17-year-old was released to a parent; the department referred charges related to his involvement, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police Chief Aaron Goldstein offered a pointed assessment of what could have unfolded differently. "The fear experienced by those involved, and the potential for a tragic outcome, is very real," Goldstein said.

That outcome is a recurring concern in incidents involving replica weapons. Officers responding to reports of a firearm have no way to distinguish a realistic BB gun from an actual handgun in the moment, and the use of the department's armored vehicle reflects how seriously the department treated the initial report. The fact that witnesses had already flagged the suspects' behavior inside the restaurant, and that threatening messages may have preceded the drive-thru confrontation, suggests this was not a spontaneous act of juveniles playing with toys.

No injuries were reported. The employee's name was not released. Charges for both teenagers remain pending as the investigation continues.