What Does 'In Minecraft' Mean? Why A 4chan User Was Arrested After Posting This Viral Phrase Explained

Recently, a New Jersey man and 4chan user named Richard Golden was arrested for allegedly making an online death threat towards Volusia County sheriff Mike Chitwood.

The alleged post has Golden seemingly suggest that Chitwood should be shot "in Minecraft", one of the most popular video games of the last decade. But what does it mean when people use "in Minecraft" as an excuse? Here's what you need to know.

What Does 'In Minecraft' Mean?

The phrase "in Minecraft" is used in a similar way to the word "hypothetically." It suggests that your statement does not relate to the real world, framing it as something you're going to do in the video game Minecraft. For example, if you say you're going to commit tax fraud in Minecraft, it's meant to be understood that you're not actually going to commit the crime, even if you really do have the intention to commit tax fraud.

"In Minecraft" is mostly used after typing or saying something controversial or potentially criminal to make it known that you don't stand by the statement, or to make others (like the FBI) think you don't stand by it when you really do.

Sometimes, Minecraft is replaced with another game, or just the phrase "in a video game." One famous example is when Twitch streamer Hasan Piker used the phrase after making a controversial statement about the September 11th attacks.

How Is 'In Minecraft' Used In Memes?

"In Minecraft" is most commonly used on sites like 4chan after a user has said something controversial, hateful or even potentially criminal in an attempt to separate themselves from the statement and claim it's illegitimate.

It's also used in memes that mock and play with this idea ironically, including memes depicting lawyers using the "in Minecraft" defense.

Why Was Robert Golden Arrested After Using The 'In Minecraft' Excuse On 4chan?

In February 2023, an anonymous user of 4chan's /pol/ board made a post writing that someone should "just shoot Chitwood in the head" in Minecraft, referring to Volusia County, Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood. About a month later, it was reported that a New Jersey man named Robert Golden was arrested for making a death threat against Chitwood.

The February post was allegedly made by Golden. In the past few days, police body cam footage of Golden's arrest has been going viral alongside the story, which has become a big topic of discussion on 4chan.

Chitwood posted an image of the arrest to Twitter, writing, "What a shame. A 4chan troll has to come out of his room." Others are making memes out of the story, expressing fake shock over the fact that the "in Minecraft" excuse doesn't actually seem to work.

For the full details on the In Minecraft, be sure to check out our entry on the meme here for even more information.