A 27-year-old man from Mesa, Arizona, was recently arrested after a shocking and reckless stunt in which he filmed himself spraying bug killer on food at a local Walmart. Charles Smith, the suspect, is now facing felony poisoning charges, criminal damage, and a host of misdemeanor charges related to endangerment and theft after his disturbing video went viral.

The incident took place on December 19, when Smith entered the store with the sole intention of “filming pranks for social media,” according to the Mesa Police Department. Armed with a can of pesticide, Smith proceeded to spray various food items throughout the produce section, including vegetables, fruit, and even rotisserie chickens that were meant for sale. He then filmed the entire incident, including close-ups of his face and the pesticide can, and posted the footage online for all to see.

Smith’s careless disregard for anonymity led to his quick identification by law enforcement. The Mesa Police, with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, managed to track down the suspect within hours of the incident. Smith, fully aware of his actions, voluntarily turned himself in after police made contact with him. During the investigation, he admitted to the theft of the pesticide and the disturbing act of spraying food in the store.

“Thanks to the tireless work of our officers and detectives, an arrest was made less than 24 hours after the incident,” a Mesa Police Department statement read. “We extend our gratitude to the Tempe Police Department for their valuable contributions in helping us solve this case so quickly.”

Walmart, for its part, acted swiftly to address the situation, removing all affected food items from the shelves and sanitizing the store area where the incident took place. The company issued an apology, reassuring customers that they were working closely with law enforcement to resolve the matter.

“Fortunately, we were able to remove all directly impacted products from the store and take the necessary steps to clean and sanitize the area,” a Walmart spokesperson stated. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ understanding as we work through this issue.”

The incident has sparked outrage online, particularly as Smith revealed that he makes a significant income—up to $10,000 a month—by posting such “pranks” on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Journalists have pointed out that Smith’s social media pages are filled with similar antics, all aimed at gaining attention and clout. But the reality of his actions has hit home as Smith’s so-called “prank” was met with strong condemnation from viewers.

Journalist Trenton Hooker, who shared the video on social media, noted, “Charles Smith has been charged for using pesticide as a weapon, including a felony count for introducing poison and three other misdemeanors. His TikTok and Instagram pages are rife with similar ‘pranks’ for social media clout.”

Hooker also mentioned that Smith, who initially posted the video without remorse, only returned to Walmart to retrieve the contaminated food after he saw the backlash online. “Interesting to note that Smith decided to return and collect the poisoned food from Walmart only after he saw comments online saying how horrible the act was,” Hooker wrote.

This alarming stunt highlights the dark side of the social media fame chase, where individuals are willing to put the public at risk for clicks and views. It serves as a stark reminder of how far some will go to grab attention, with little regard for the harm they might cause to others.