Virginia homeowner charged with murder after shooting teen during 'ding dong ditch' prank

A Virginia man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing a high school senior who was participating in a “ding dong ditch” prank early Saturday morning.

Tyler Chase Butler, 27, is accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., a student-athlete at Massaponax High School, and injuring one of his friends during the incident outside his home, Butler initially told authorities he believed three teens were attempting to break into his home around 3 am, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

However, the surviving teens told police that the group was not trying to break in, but rather playing a prank for a TikTok video. The injured teen said they were looking for a place to hide when gunshots went off, and they were playing “ding dong ditch,” where they would ring the doorbell and run off, according to NBC 4 Washington. The unharmed teen repeated this story, also offering their phone to police to show a similar video recorded earlier in the night.

Bosworth was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The shooting occurred on the same day as his high school prom, which was scheduled for that evening. A senior at Massaponax High School, Bosworth was a multi-sport athlete who participated in football, lacrosse, and wrestling.

Butler is now facing charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the sheriff’s office. He is currently being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.