In a tragic incident in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, an 18-year-old named Michael Bosworth, Jr. was killed during a ding-dong ditch prank intended for TikTok. The prank involved Bosworth and two other teenagers ringing doorbells and running away, a common activity on social media. The homeowner, 27-year-old Tyler Chase Butler, opened fire, believing the teens were attempting to break into his home.
The shooting occurred around 3 a.m., leading to reports of a residential burglary in progress. Both Bosworth and another juvenile were shot; Bosworth succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the other juvenile was treated and released. A third juvenile with them was unharmed.
Butler has been charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is currently held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail, with no information available regarding his legal representation.
According to a search warrant affidavit, one of the teenagers explained to authorities that they had been recording their pranks and had previously visited multiple homes in the area. The incident occurred just hours before Bosworth was set to attend his senior prom at Massaponax High School, prompting the school to provide counseling support for students in the wake of the tragedy. The school district expressed condolences to Bosworth’s family and assured that emotional support would be available for students and staff when they returned to school.
This unfortunate event highlights the dangers associated with pranks and raises questions regarding homeowner responses to perceived threats.
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