Michigan Red Baron worker in cruel prank pauses fundraiser after strangers help raise $785K

Walt Zerod, a Michigan father of four who delivers frozen pizzas for Red Baron, has paused a fundraiser after strangers donated nearly $785,000 following a viral prank. He thanked donors and said he wants to leave the spotlight to spend the holidays with his family, while encouraging people to support other causes.

The fundraiser began on 27 October after a video showed Instagram pranksters falsely accusing Zerod of taking $10 through a staged Apple Pay sound while he stocked pizzas. Zerod said he was struggling to pay his mortgage and had worked beyond his shift; the video prompted widespread criticism, and the pranksters’ account was later deleted. By Thursday, 5 November, roughly 22,800 people had donated $784,273 towards a $900,000 goal. Red Baron’s parent company said Zerod remains a valued employee.