$500K Raised For MI Worker Pranked In Viral Video

More than $500,000 has been raised for a Michigan Red Baron worker who was pranked while on the job.

A social media video from an account called "ThreeOfAKind," which has since been deleted, showed the man stocking stocking shelves inside a Meijer store when the prankster approached him with his phone.

The prankster played a chime on his phone and claimed to have taken $10 from the man using Apple Pay.

The man then walked away to report the prankster while the prankster continued provoking him, calling the incident a "joke."

"It’s not a joke to me, OK? I don’t have time for this crap in my life," the man said. "My life is hard enough as it is, OK? I don’t need this crap. I have kids at home that went to bed without me right now. I was supposed to be at home an hour ago. And I’m still out here working. And I’ve gotta get up at 5 in the morning and do 10 more stores. So this is not a joke to me."

He added that he was worried he was going to get kicked out of the store for making a scene.

Luke Oakenshield started a GoFundMe fundraiser on Tuesday on behalf of the Red Baron employee.

He said that he's worried the man could lose his job because the video has gone viral for a situation that the employee didn't create.

"This fundraiser is about standing up for a working person who is busting their butt and should not have to fear losing stability because someone wanted content and clicks," Luke wrote in the post.

Luke said that he doesn't personally know the worker, whom he referred to as "Walt Z." from Michigan.

So far, the account has raised $519,000, as of Friday afternoon.

Walt on Friday posted a message on the fundraiser thanking everyone who has donated.

"The kindness and encouragement you’ve shown me and my family have meant more than I can put into words," Walt Z posted on the Gofundme account. "My family and I are doing well, and I’m grateful to have supportive people around me. I’ve been keeping things private to protect my family’s privacy, and I appreciate everyone respecting that."

Walt added he was receiving "a lot of interview requests" and that he doesn't seek out the spotlight.

"I’m considering sharing my story. Before making that decision, I want to make sure it’s with people who will treat me and my family with care and respect our privacy," he wrote.

While many were worried the worker would be fired for his emotional outburst, Red Baron posted a social media graphic that said, "Employee of the month nominations are closed. You know why."

The post added, "He’s still here. He’s got a fan club. Including us."