TikTok Prank Gone Wrong: Teen Fatally Shot, Homeowner Charged

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A late-night prank ended in tragedy when a Virginia teenager was shot and killed during a “ding-dong ditch” stunt intended for TikTok. Now, 27-year-old homeowner Tyler Chase Butler faces a second-degree murder charge, as prosecutors begin to unravel what happened in the early morning hours of May 3.

The incident took place around 3:00 a.m. in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, when a group of teens allegedly knocked on Butler’s door as part of the prank and ran to hide. Butler told police he believed someone was trying to break into his home, reportedly hearing banging at the back door.

Armed with a firearm, Butler opened fire—killing 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr. and grazing another teen. A third teen was uninjured.

Initially, Butler was not arrested. Under Virginia law, homeowners have no duty to retreat if they reasonably believe they face an imminent threat—a standard often associated with “Stand Your Ground” protections. However, Butler’s legal defense began to unravel when the two surviving teens gave statements to investigators.

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According to court documents, the teens admitted to participating in the prank but denied any attempt to break in. They stated the group had been ringing doorbells and filming reactions for social media, including earlier stops that night. In their account, after knocking on Butler’s door, they began to flee—only to be met with gunfire.

That detail could prove critical. Legal experts emphasize that self-defense must be proportionate to the threat faced at the moment.

“Being afraid is not enough to justify deadly force,” said criminal defense attorney Diane Toscano in an interview with Law & Crime. “There has to be a reasonable fear of imminent harm.”

Key questions in the case will center on the teens’ exact location when shots were fired. Forensic evidence—such as bullet trajectories and entry wounds—could determine whether the teens were running away or still posing a potential threat.

“If they had their backs turned and were fleeing, that’s going to be very difficult to justify,” Toscano noted.

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Another factor will be Butler’s 911 call and initial statements to police. Prosecutors will examine whether his actions were rooted in genuine fear or a misjudgment that escalated into deadly force. Butler’s claim that he thought someone was breaking in may carry less legal weight if video or testimony shows the teens were retreating.

So far, prosecutors have charged Butler with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bond.

As the case moves toward trial, attorneys are expected to subpoena home surveillance footage and examine cell phone videos from the teens, who were reportedly recording the prank. Prosecutors face a delicate balance—pursuing justice for a deceased teen while considering whether the surviving participants could themselves face trespassing or other charges.

For now, the focus remains on the central legal issue: whether Butler’s decision to fire was a reasonable act of self-defense—or a deadly overreaction to what amounted to a juvenile prank gone horribly wrong.

Bosworth, a senior and lacrosse standout just weeks away from graduation, is being mourned by his family and classmates. The case serves as a sobering reminder of how fast social media-driven antics can spiral into irreversible consequences—and how the legal system must grapple with intent, perception, and proportionality in high-stakes self-defense claims.

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