The Murder Mystery At Chuck E. Cheese

On December 14, 1993, 17-year-old Ben Grant was fatally shot near the left eye while vacuuming at Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, Colorado. He was one of five employees shot by 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, a former employee who was frustrated about being fired five months prior to the shooting. Four of the employees, including Ben Grant, were killed, and one survived.

Who is Ben Grant?

On December 14, 1993, 17-year-old Ben Grant was one of five employees shot by 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. Ben was fatally shot near the left eye as he was vacuuming. He was one of four employees who were killed, with a fifth, Bobby Stephens, surviving despite being shot in the jaw.

Dunlap, a former employee of the restaurant, was frustrated about being fired five months prior to the shooting and sought revenge. He hid in a restroom before carrying out the attack after closing. He fled the scene with stolen money and restaurant items. Dunlap was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other charges, and was initially sentenced to death by lethal injection. However, in 2020, his death sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole after Colorado abolished the death penalty.

Who is Nathan Dunlap?

Nathan Jerard Dunlap was a former employee at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado, United States. On December 14, 1993, Dunlap shot and killed four employees and seriously injured a fifth employee. The victims were identified as Sylvia Crowell, 19, Ben Grant, 17, Margaret "Marge" Kohlberg, 50, and Colleen O'Connor, 17. All five individuals were shot in the head, with Bobby Stephens, 20, being the lone survivor.

Dunlap was frustrated about being fired from the restaurant five months prior to the shooting and sought revenge. He entered the restaurant at 9:00 p.m., ordered a ham and cheese sandwich, played an arcade game, and hid in a restroom. After closing, he exited the restroom and shot all five employees with a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Dunlap fled the scene with $1,500 in cash and game tokens and was arrested at his mother's apartment twelve hours later.

Dunlap was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, robbery, and burglary. He was initially sentenced to death by lethal injection but his sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole in 2020 after Colorado abolished the death penalty.

What was the motive?

On December 14, 1993, 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap murdered four employees and injured a fifth at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. The motive for the attack was revenge. Dunlap was a former employee of the restaurant and was frustrated about being fired five months prior to the shooting.

Dunlap entered the restaurant at 9:00 p.m., ordered a ham and cheese sandwich, and played an arcade game. He then hid in a restroom and, after closing, emerged and shot five employees with a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol. The victims were identified as Sylvia Crowell, 19, Ben Grant, 17, Margaret (Marge) Kohlberg, 50, and Colleen O'Connor, 17. All died from gunshots to the head. Bobby Stephens, 20, was also shot but survived by playing dead after Dunlap shot him in the jaw.

Dunlap forced Kohlberg, the store manager, to unlock the safe. After she opened it, he shot her in the ear. As he was taking the cash out of the safe, Dunlap fired a second fatal shot through Kohlberg's other ear after he noticed she was still moving. Dunlap fled the scene with $1,500 worth of cash and game tokens. He was arrested at his mother's apartment twelve hours later.

What was the outcome of the trial?

On May 17, 1996, Nathan Dunlap was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, robbery, and burglary, and was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Dunlap was initially scheduled to be executed in August 2013, but Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed a temporary reprieve that postponed the execution.

In 2008, Dunlap filed a habeas corpus petition with the federal district court, arguing that his trial attorney was ineffective by not presenting a defense on his mental health issues and childhood abuse. This federal appeal was rejected in August 2010 by Senior U.S. District Judge John L. Kane, who stated that Dunlap was fairly tried, competently represented, and justifiably sentenced to death.

On April 16, 2012, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Dunlap's appeal of his death sentence. Dunlap's lawyers argued that his trial lawyers were negligent during the sentencing by not providing evidence of his mental illness. However, the court upheld the previous ruling.

On May 1, 2013, Judge William Sylvester announced that Dunlap's execution would take place in mid-August 2013. Dunlap submitted a petition for executive clemency, but this was denied. Instead, Governor Hickenlooper granted him a temporary reprieve from the death sentence, citing concerns about the state's capital punishment system rather than compassion or sympathy. This decision was met with criticism from victims' relatives and Republicans ahead of the 2014 election.

On March 23, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill to repeal the state's death penalty and commuted the sentences of all inmates on death row, including Dunlap, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Dunlap's sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole, and he is currently incarcerated at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Cañon City.

What was the impact on Chuck E. Cheese?

On December 14, 1993, a mass shooting took place at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. The incident had a profound impact on the popular family entertainment chain, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures and prompting a reevaluation of safety protocols.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of four employees: Sylvia Crowell, 19, Ben Grant, 17, Colleen O'Connor, 17, and Marge Kohlberg, 50. A fifth employee, Bobby Stephens, was seriously injured but survived. The perpetrator, 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, was a former employee who harbored resentment over his termination from the restaurant. Dunlap's actions caused immense harm to the Chuck E. Cheese brand, as the family-oriented company became associated with a tragic and violent event.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Chuck E. Cheese faced significant challenges in restoring public trust and confidence in the safety of their establishments. The incident sparked concerns among parents and guardians, who questioned whether such venues could guarantee the protection of children and families during what should have been joyful celebrations. The shooting also ignited a broader discussion about security measures in similar entertainment venues and the need to balance fun and safety.

To address these concerns, Chuck E. Cheese implemented stricter security protocols, including enhanced staff training, increased security personnel, and improved emergency response procedures. The company also worked closely with law enforcement agencies to develop comprehensive safety guidelines for their locations nationwide. These measures aimed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to reassure customers that their well-being was a top priority.

The shooting also had a lasting impact on the company's operations and policies. Chuck E. Cheese reevaluated its hiring practices, employee welfare, and conflict resolution strategies. The company introduced more stringent background checks for new hires and provided additional support for employees dealing with personal or professional challenges. These steps were taken to mitigate the risk of internal threats and to foster a culture of care and well-being within the organization.

Moreover, the incident prompted Chuck E. Cheese to strengthen its crisis management capabilities. The company refined its crisis communication strategies, ensuring that in the event of an emergency, clear and timely information would be provided to the media, employees, customers, and their families. By doing so, Chuck E. Cheese aimed to mitigate the potential for misinformation and speculation, which can often exacerbate the negative impact of a crisis.

In summary, the tragic shooting at Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, Colorado, had far-reaching consequences for the company. It forced Chuck E. Cheese to reevaluate its security measures, crisis management strategies, and employee welfare policies. The incident served as a catalyst for significant changes within the organization, ultimately leading to enhanced safety protocols and a stronger commitment to protecting customers, employees, and the communities they serve.

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