Virginia High School Athlete Fatally Shot While Playing TikTok Door-Knock Prank; Homeowner Charged with Murder
- Victor Nwoko
- May 7
- 2 min read
A tragic shooting in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has left a high school senior dead and another teen injured after a doorbell prank turned deadly in the early hours of Saturday morning. Authorities reported that 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., a three-sport athlete and senior at Massaponax High School, was shot and killed outside a home around 3 a.m. while participating in a prank known as "ding dong ditch" with two friends.
The alleged shooter, 27-year-old Tyler Chase Butler, has been charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Butler initially told investigators that the teens were attempting to break into his home.
However, police documents revealed that one of the teens, who suffered a graze wound, said they were filming a prank to post on TikTok. The teen stated that after knocking on the door, they ran to find a hiding spot when multiple gunshots were fired. The third teen involved was unharmed and corroborated that the group had been playing “ding dong ditch,” a game that involves ringing a doorbell or knocking and then fleeing before the homeowner answers.
Bosworth, who played football, lacrosse, and wrestled for his high school, was shot and killed on the same day his senior prom was scheduled. His stepfather described him as an active and dedicated student-athlete with a bright future.
Butler is currently being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review the sequence of events and analyze evidence from the scene.
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