An 18-year-old high school athlete was tragically shot by a Virginia homeowner during what friends believe was a TikTok prank called “Ding Dong Ditch,” not a break-in.
The incident took place at 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 27, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, when deputies responded to a suspected burglary near Mackenzie Lane, according to the Independent.
When they arrived, they discovered Michael Bosworth Jr. with a gunshot wound to his torso. He later died of his injuries.
Bosworth, a senior lacrosse player at Massaponax High School, was with two other adolescents who claimed police they were conducting a doorbell-ringing prank for TikTok.
According to an affidavit by Detective Earle Swift, the group claimed they had repeated the prank at other residences earlier that night and had no intention of breaking in or stealing. While one kid had a grazing bullet wound, the third teen remained unhurt.
As of Tuesday, no charges have been brought against the homeowner who fired the deadly shot. The Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney is evaluating the case to see if criminal charges are appropriate.
Bosworth died the same day as his school’s prom, which went forward as planned. The principal provided counseling and emotional assistance to pupils who were grieving.