Two men are facing serious charges in Illinois after allegedly making a string of false “active shooter” threats to multiple fast food restaurants.
Austin Blair and Jarrett Maki, both 25, were arrested and each charged with 11 counts of making terroristic threats, according to the East Alton Police Department. Authorities say the men repeatedly called McDonald’s, Domino’s, Sonic, and other restaurants in the area, warning employees about supposed shooters approaching their stores.
The series of threats began on July 28, when a Taco Bell in East Alton received a call stating, “I see a dude with a big gun walking toward your store.” Later that same day, McDonald’s and Sonic locations were allegedly threatened with calls claiming “a shooter was coming to the store and did not care if the police were at the location.” Another call placed to a Casey’s convenience store in Wood River warned that an “active shooter” would appear within 10 minutes.
On July 29, a Domino’s in East Alton reportedly received another disturbing call, this one threatening to “shoot up the store.” Police said the same McDonald’s and Sonic were targeted again on July 30 and 31.
The threats paused for about a week before resuming on August 10, when either Blair or Maki allegedly called the East Alton Domino’s again, this time saying they would “blow their heads off.” A later call on August 21 threatened to blow up the same Domino’s and shoot its staff.
The string of threats culminated on August 27, when police said the pair called the Runway Lounge in Bethalto, Illinois, with the chilling message: “You ever had an assault rifle in your face?”
Authorities noted the threats caused significant “fear and disruption.” Some businesses even shut down early out of safety concerns, underscoring how seriously employees and management took the calls.
Investigators were eventually able to trace the origin of the calls back to a home in East Alton. Blair was arrested at that location. The investigation later led police to Maki, a Detroit resident, who was tracked down in Madison, Illinois.
Maki, who had been employed by the Detroit City Football Club, was fired from his position following his arrest. He remains in custody at Madison County Jail. Blair was released from custody but is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 26. Maki’s court date is set for October 3.
Both men now face the possibility of lengthy prison sentences if convicted on all counts. Under Illinois law, making terroristic threats is a felony that can carry severe penalties, particularly when repeated over time and targeted at multiple businesses.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that even hoax threats create real-world panic, drain resources, and put communities on edge. What began as menacing phone calls has now escalated into a serious criminal case that could alter the lives of both defendants.
