Teens shot while filming a TikTok 'ding-dong-ditch' prank

**Emptymag** · May 9th, 2025, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ronin

I didn't convict anyone. The mere fact that he's involved in a shooting and has been charged with murder means his life as he knew it is over. Even if he's acquitted, it is going to cost him.

And there's a difference between aggressively trying to gain entry and a simple prank. Yeah the kids are morons, but that doesn't mean it's OK to shoot them. As gun owners it is our responsibility to keep a clear head and understand that every bullet has a lawyer attached to it. That means knowing when to pull the trigger and when not to.

You have no idea what happened.

**ImminentDanger** · May 9th, 2025, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ronin

there's a difference between aggressively trying to gain entry and a simple prank.

Can you delineate how, within a few seconds or minutes, that that difference can be ascertained?

As to Q1 (Simple Prank or Assault Crime - Why is that so hard to distinguish?).

The acts were intentional & premeditated. The filming is proof of that.

They were trespassing - they had no right to be there - especially at 3am.

They were harrassing the owner with their behavior.

In a sense, they were making terroristic threats by their behavior.

Irrespective of the response of the homeowner, if the news stories are true,
Will the surviving teens be held accountable for their criminal actions?

...

**Emptymag** · May 9th, 2025, 07:45 PM

I'm just happy to see us arguing about something other than sandwich condiments for a change.

**GOYABEAN** · May 9th, 2025, 07:57 PM

Guess at least one of them won't be playing stupid prank games again idk.gif

**Ronin** · May 9th, 2025, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Emptymag

You have no idea what happened.

Originally Posted by ImminentDanger

Can you delineate how, within a few seconds or minutes, that that difference can be ascertained?

As to Q1 (Simple Prank or Assault Crime - Why is that so hard to distinguish?).

The acts were intentional & premeditated. The filming is proof of that.

They were trespassing - they had no right to be there - especially at 3am.

They were harrassing the owner with their behavior.

In a sense, they were making terroristic threats by their behavior.

Irrespective of the response of the homeowner, if the news stories are true,
Will the surviving teens be held accountable for their criminal actions?

...

They didn't enter his home, therefore he was not in enough danger to warrant shooting anyone. He should have armed himself and called the police.

**Emptymag** · May 9th, 2025, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ronin

They didn't enter his home, therefore he was not in enough danger to warrant shooting anyone. He should have armed himself and called the police.

They were trying to enter his home and he thought his life was in danger so shooting them was warranted.

See how that works?

There's what took place and there's what the homeowner thought was taking place - it all matters.

**Ronin** · May 9th, 2025, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Emptymag

They were trying to enter his home and he thought his life was in danger so shooting them was warranted.

See how that works?

There's what took place and there's what the homeowner thought was taking place - it all matters.

By that twisted logic a person could shoot someone on their property for any reason and claim they thought their life was in danger. Doesn't work that way. You still need to demonstrate that you were in fact in danger.

**imashooter2** · May 10th, 2025, 12:05 AM

It comes down to the judgement of a reasonable and prudent man. 12 people will decide if this example was reasonable and prudent after having heard one hell of a lot more about the case than we have.

**Emptymag** · May 10th, 2025, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Ronin

By that twisted logic a person could shoot someone on their property for any reason and claim they thought their life was in danger. Doesn't work that way. You still need to demonstrate that you were in fact in danger.

I kind of doubt that.

**JasonLund** · May 10th, 2025, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by streaker69

Not having been a rapscallion, I never engaged in such "pransks" as "ding dong ditch" but as I understand it you ring then bell then run and watch from a distance as the person answers the door. Banging on a door repeatedly then waiting for the guy to get a gun doesn't sound like they were doing it right. Must be a problem with the schools not teaching these kids how to properly annoy their neighbors. Regardless of their failure to properly "prank" if they were repeatedly banging on the door and probably hoopin' and hollerin', I could see how someone being woken up from a deep sleep could be in fear for life or great bodily harm.

It sucks that assholes out there have to disrupt and ruin innocent people's live all for internet likes.

Sometimes it also involves a flaming bag of poop.