Chuck E. Cheese's Tragedy: Who Died And Why?

Chuck E. Cheese is a family-friendly restaurant known for its pizza and entertainment for children. However, over the years, it has been the site of several disturbing incidents, including violent crimes and gross unlawful offenses. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 1993 when a former employee, Nathan Dunlap, shot and killed four employees and injured a fifth in Aurora, Colorado. There have also been reports of brawls, assaults, and a disturbing case of child neglect that resulted in the deaths of two children. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of patrons at Chuck E. Cheese and have impacted the restaurant's reputation.

1993 mass shooting

On December 14, 1993, a mass shooting occurred at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, a former employee of the restaurant, shot and killed four employees and seriously injured a fifth. The victims were identified as Sylvia Crowell, 19, Ben Grant, 17, Margaret (Marge) Kohlberg, 50, and Colleen O'Connor, 17. All five were shot with a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol, with shots to the head or near the head. Bobby Stephens, 20, was the lone survivor of the shooting.

Dunlap entered the restaurant at around 9:00 p.m., ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and played an arcade game. He then hid in the restroom until after closing at around 10:05 p.m. As employees were cleaning up the restaurant, Dunlap emerged from the restroom and began the attack. He first shot Sylvia Crowell, who was cleaning the salad bar, mortally wounding her with a shot to the right ear from close range. Ben Grant was fatally shot near the left eye as he was vacuuming. Colleen O'Connor pleaded for her life, but Dunlap shot her through the top of her head.

Bobby Stephens, who had been on a smoke break outside, returned to the restaurant and began unloading utensils into the dishwasher. Dunlap came through the kitchen door, raised his handgun, and fired a shot that struck Stephens in the jaw. Stephens fell to the floor and played dead. Dunlap then forced the store manager, Marge Kohlberg, to unlock the safe. After she opened it, Dunlap shot her in the ear. As he was taking the cash out of the safe, he noticed that Kohlberg was still moving and fired a second fatal shot through her other ear. Dunlap fled the scene with $1,500 worth of cash and game tokens, as well as other restaurant items.

Authorities arrived at the scene and found two bodies in the restaurant's hallway, a third in a room off the hallway, and the fourth in the manager's office. Sylvia Crowell, who was sent to Denver General Hospital, was declared brain dead and died from her injuries the next day at Aurora Regional Medical Center.

Dunlap was arrested at his mother's apartment twelve hours later. He 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 was later commuted to life in prison without parole after Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020.

Twins found dead in their mother's SUV

On February 2, 2024, 3-year-old fraternal twins Milendhet and Milendhere Napoleon-Cadet were found dead in their mother's SUV. The twins were found unresponsive, foaming at the mouth, along Interstate 95 near the Florida's Turnpike extension in the early hours of the morning. Their mother, 42-year-old Shirlene Alcime, was not present at the scene, having jumped off a nearby overpass in an apparent suicide attempt.

Alcime was later found by police on a set of train tracks, moaning and crawling. She was taken to the hospital, where she remained during the pre-trial detention hearing held on March 6, 2024. Alcime was charged with two counts of child neglect, with detectives alleging that she had been planning for approximately two months to murder her children due to financial troubles and debt.

During the hearing, Detective Malia Carson testified that Alcime told her she wanted the children to have one last good day, taking them to Chuck E. Cheese and McDonald's before their deaths. Toxicology results were still pending at the time of the hearing, and a status hearing was set for March 19.

Alcime's attorneys argued for her release, but Judge Ellen Venzer ordered she remain in custody, citing community safety concerns. Venzer stated, "The appropriate bond is no bond." While Alcime was not facing murder charges as of the hearing, another judge raised the possibility of murder charges after the toxicology results were released. Alcime has pleaded not guilty.

Woman drives into a ditch, injuring three children

On December 14, 1993, a horrific incident occurred at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. Nineteen-year-old Nathan Dunlap, a former employee of the restaurant, carried out a deadly shooting, killing four employees and injuring a fifth. The victims who lost their lives were Sylvia Crowell, 19, Ben Grant, 17, Margaret Kohlberg, 50, and Colleen O'Connor, 17. They were all fatally shot by Dunlap, who was seeking revenge for being fired from his job months earlier.

In a separate incident, a woman drove her car into a ditch near a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant, causing a tire to fly off and injure three children. This incident, which occurred in 2015, is a stark reminder that accidents and unforeseen events can turn enjoyable experiences into tragic ones.

On that fateful day, the 63-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle and veered off the road. Her car struck a telephone pole, causing the tires to detach and go through the window of the nearby Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant. The three injured children were treated on the scene, and thankfully, their injuries were not life-threatening.

This incident serves as a reminder to always prioritize safety, especially when children are involved. It is important for drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent such accidents from occurring. It is also crucial for parents and guardians to supervise children when they are playing near roads or in parking lots to minimize the risk of injuries.

While the woman's identity remains unknown, the impact of her actions had lasting consequences. The three children and their families were left traumatized by the incident, and the community was shaken by the events that unfolded on that day. It is a reminder that a momentary lapse in judgment or a split-second decision can have far-reaching implications.

Malfunctioning photo machine leads to aggravated assault

In December 1993, four employees were shot and killed, and a fifth was seriously injured at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. The shooter, 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, was a former employee of the restaurant who was frustrated about being fired five months prior. Dunlap's attack was premeditated, as he hid in the restaurant's restroom before closing time and carried out the shooting after the restaurant had emptied out. Dunlap was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other charges, ultimately receiving a death sentence, which was later commuted to life in prison without parole.

While the Aurora shooting is one of the most notorious incidents of violence at Chuck E. Cheese, it is sadly not an isolated event. In one instance, a malfunctioning photo machine led to a group of customers assaulting five employees at a Chuck E. Cheese's in Parma, OH. One employee reported being slammed into a table and punched by a customer. Unfortunately, incidents like these are not uncommon at Chuck E. Cheese's locations, which have become known for attracting more than their fair share of violent crimes and unsavory characters.

In addition to the photo machine incident, several other violent brawls and assaults have been reported at Chuck E. Cheese's locations across the country. In one instance, a massive brawl broke out between two women and their companions after they were told to "tone it down" by a manager. While no children were injured, the incident underscores the volatile nature of some patrons of the family entertainment chain.

Another incident involved a fistfight that broke out over a stolen cellphone. Wanda Jackson, who visited the restaurant with two children, attempted to steal another woman's phone, leading to a physical altercation. Jackson was charged with third-degree assault in the incident.

While Chuck E. Cheese's is marketed as a family-friendly establishment, it has gained a reputation for being a hotbed of violent and unlawful activity. From aggravated assaults to shootings, the restaurant chain has been plagued by a range of criminal incidents that have shocked and disturbed the public. These incidents highlight the darker side of what should be a fun and carefree environment for families and children.

Employee with a mental disorder kills children

On December 14, 1993, a horrific incident shocked the nation as news emerged of a mass shooting at a Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. Four employees were killed, and a fifth was seriously injured. The perpetrator, 19-year-old Nathan Dunlap, was a former employee of the restaurant, frustrated about being fired five months prior. He entered the restaurant, played arcade games, and ordered food before hiding in the restroom until closing time. As employees were cleaning up, Dunlap emerged and began his deadly attack.

Sylvia Crowell, 19, was the first victim, shot from close range in the right ear as she cleaned the salad bar. Ben Grant, 17, was fatally shot near the left eye as he vacuumed, and Colleen O'Connor, 17, was shot through the temple. Bobby Stephens, 20, returned from a smoke break and was shot in the jaw but survived, escaping through a back door to seek help. The fifth victim, 50-year-old store manager Marge Kohlberg, was forced to open the safe at gunpoint. After taking the cash, Dunlap noticed she was still moving and fired a second fatal shot through her other ear.

Dunlap was arrested at his mother's apartment 12 hours later and was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other charges. He was initially sentenced to death by lethal injection but had his sentence commuted to life in prison without parole in 2020 when Colorado abolished the death penalty.

This tragic incident sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about gun violence, mental health, and workplace safety. It is a stark reminder of the devastating impact that can occur when mental health issues go unaddressed or untreated.

In an even more disturbing incident, an employee of Chuck E. Cheese, Paul Lewis, had a mental disorder that led him to believe he was the character Chuck E. Cheese. Lewis worked extra hours, luring children with promises of a secret competition and enticing them with promises of better arcade games and pizza. After playing, the children consumed pizza and soda laced with sedatives, falling asleep. Lewis then killed them, and their remains were found in the pizza, leading to his arrest and incarceration for murder.

Frequently asked questions