Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
YouTuber Arrested After Prank Warning About Active Shooter At Disney World: Cops
Dillon Burch was arrested after falsely claiming that a shooter was active at Disney World, according to authorities. He later claimed he was filming hotel guests' reactions for a YouTube experiment, police say.
Cops in Florida say alleged YouTube prankster Dillon Burch told guests at Disney World in Orlando that an active shooter was on the property.
In court, Burch, 22 said he was recording videos of the guests' reactions for a YouTube video experiment.
Burch initially approached several people at a Disney bus stop on May 28 and told them there was an assailant with a gun on the premises, officials told The Washington Post. He also allegedly claimed the resort was on lockdown and that guests needed to evacuate if possible, Click Orlando, an Orlando-based news organization reported. One of prank victims called the police to report Burch's claims, according to reports.
Before police arrived, Burch got into a confrontation with the hotel's manager, Jose Castillo, and said he was filming people's reactions as part of a school project. Burch then fled from the hotel, telling employees not to follow him. He was discovered hiding in some nearby bushes by law enforcement officials, according to The Washington Post.
A day after police apprehended him, he pleaded no contest to charges of disturbing the peace and disorderly intoxication, according The Washington Post.
An affidavit describes Burch as "highly intoxicated" at the time, according to People. Beer was allegedly found in his backpack. The resort was indeed put on lockdown due to Burch's claims, causing a "significant disturbance," according to the affidavit.
He has since been banned from Disney World and faces three days in jail.
Disney World has not given an official comment on the incident.
[Photo: Orange County Police]
