TikTok pranks are getting out of hand these days. And a recent fatal incident at a Virginia home is a perfect example.
On May 3, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Fredericksburg, Virginia, involving 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., a senior at Massaponax High School.
Bosworth Jr. was shot and killed by homeowner Tyler Chase Butler. The tragic incident happened during what was purportedly a prank known as “ding dong ditch.” This prank involves knocking on someone’s door and quickly fleeing, a practice that Bosworth and two friends were reportedly filming for TikTok.
The shooting took place around 3 a.m. on the day of Bosworth’s high school prom.
Two shot, one killed during TikTok prank outside Fredericksburg, VA
Police say Michael Bosworth Jr., 18, was part of a group filming themselves ringing doorbells and running away for a "TikTok trend."
They say Tyler Butler, 27, murdered him for it. pic.twitter.com/D6AvEymPiR
— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) May 7, 2025
Following an altercation, Butler, 27, claimed that the teens were attempting to break into his home. However, the surviving friends contended that they did not engage in any criminal activity but rather were performing a prank in hopes of creating content for social media.
Unfortunately, their social media prank turned out to be an unforeseen deadly encounter with the homeowner.
When law enforcement arrived, they found that Bosworth had sustained fatal injuries and another teen had suffered a graze wound from gunfire.
The third participant in the prank was unharmed.
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High School Teen Shot Dead Hours Before School Prom
The tragic incident that took place in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, came at an unfortunate time.
Despite the homeowner’s speculation, the investigation revealed that the teens had no intention of stealing anything. And the incident shocked many, especially since it happened just hours before Bosworth’s school prom.
While we will wait for the investigation to complete, the incident has come at a devastating time for the young high schooler’s parents. Losing an 18-year-old son would obviously put them into unimaginable grief.
However, young kids should also watch out for themselves, as fun for one could be an unwanted threat to the other person involved.
The homeowner, Tyler Chase Butler, is under arrest on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, after he shot and killed Bosworth Jr.
The incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday morning. It took place when Bosworth and his friends made the questionable decision to prank an unknown person.
Butler is currently held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without a bond.