In the early morning hours of April 23, 2017, a typical fast-food run turned tragic at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Bedford, Indiana. Justin Lampkins, a 25-year-old male and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was waiting in his truck several vehicles behind a pickup driven by 22-year-old Evan Schaffer. As the line stalled, a horn was honked, prompting Schaffer to exit his vehicle and confront the drivers behind him.
Schaffer approached Lampkins’ truck, where a verbal altercation ensued, escalating when Schaffer punched Lampkins through the open window before walking back toward his own vehicle.
The situation deteriorated further when Lampkins exited his truck, reportedly holding a small wooden club or baton, and moved toward Schaffer. Despite having initially walked away, Schaffer retrieved a handgun and fired a single shot, striking Lampkins in the chest. Emergency responders arrived to find the former Marine critically wounded near the drive-thru lane; he was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Witnesses at the scene provided a description of the shooter and his vehicle, allowing police to quickly locate and arrest Schaffer, who had fled the scene.
Schaffer was taken into custody and charged with murder, battery, carrying a handgun without a license, and pointing a firearm. During the subsequent trial in Lawrence County, the defense argued that Schaffer had acted in self-defense, claiming he felt threatened by the baton Lampkins held. However, prosecutors contended that Schaffer was the aggressor who initiated the conflict and had the opportunity to leave but instead chose to use deadly force.
In August 2018, a jury rejected the self-defense claim and found Evan Schaffer guilty on all counts, including murder. The following month, the court handed down a sentence of 63 and a half years in the Indiana Department of Correction. The judge characterized the shooting as a senseless act of violence sparked by a minor irritation, noting the tragedy of a man surviving military service only to lose his life in a drive-thru dispute.
