Turmoil Over a Toy by: Alex Schultheis

Father of two David Fowler assaults four employees at the crowded Burger King Restaurant on the 3100 block of Kirkwood Highway Monday evening when he was refused a toy from the movie “Chicken Run”.
After arguing with a cashier at the drive thru over not receiving a toy with his meal an angry Fowler, 23 of Lancaster, PA, entered the Burger King Restaurant shouting. He punched two male employees and threw a third over the counter.
Parents and children flew the scene after a child was nearly struck by a collapsing shelf that Fowler broke.
Fowler is charged with three accounts of assault, malicious destruction of property, and disorderly conduct. He is being held at the New Castle County Detention Center after he failed to post his bail of $10,000.
Assistant DA Colleen McGinnis is the prosecutor for the case.
“All this for a toy? Have we become so obsessed with collecting things that we’ve forgotten how to act? Society shouldn’t tolerate this kind of behavior”, McGinnis said.
Fowler was assigned public defender Brian Bauer by the county. “He wanted the toy for his young daughter. He became enraged when he realized he wouldn’t be able to get it for her. I’m not excusing what he did, but how would you feel if you were in his position?”, Bauer said.
According to the cashier at Burger King Fowler was refused the toy with his meal purchase because he was riding alone at the time, the toys are only given to children.
Currently Bauer is working with McGinnis on a plea bargain. Because it is uncertain whether Fowler punched or pushed one of the employees Fowler would plead guilty to only two accounts of assault, agree to pay for the damage to the restaurant, and perform community service for his disorderly conduct charge. Fowler has no criminal record.
A preliminary hearing is set for July 18th at 10 a.m. before Judge Jane Dorton.