Virginia father warns after doorbell prank at home caught on camera

Homeowner warns about ding-dong ditch pranks

A Northern Virginia father is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of the ding-dong ditch prank, where individuals ring a doorbell and run away.

ARLINGTON, Va. - A Northern Virginia father is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of the ding-dong ditch prank, where individuals ring a doorbell and run away.

While often seen as harmless, the doorbell-ringing prank has taken a serious turn. Earlier this month in Spotsylvania County, a TikTok-recorded ding-dong ditch incident turned deadly when a 27-year-old shot and killed one of the teen pranksters.

READ MORE: Arlington County homeowner warns about 'ding-dong ditch' pranks

Dangerous prank raises concerns

What they're saying:

Ryan Morgan, an Arlington resident, says a similar prank at his home earlier this week involved teenagers in ski masks and hoods, leaving him prepared for a potential fight.

"When someone knocks on your door with a ski mask, you're concerned. After I saw that it was teenagers, I was more concerned for their safety because, you know, someone could have a gun or threaten them in some way," Morgan said. "The first thing I did was call 911, made sure my baby was okay, and then ran downstairs to see what was going on." 

Doorbell camera footage shows the masked teens banging on Morgan’s door for about 10 seconds before running away. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Memorial Day.

Arlington County homeowner warns about 'ding-dong ditch' pranks

A northern Virginia man says he’s frustrated by a group of teens who did a version of "Ding-Dong Ditch," banging on his door while dressed in ski masks and running away. He says he’s also worried that something could happen to the kids if they keep this up—and bang on the wrong door.

Police warn of legal risks

Morgan says young pranksters may not realize the risks involved. In Virginia, it is illegal for individuals over 16-years-old to wear a ski mask or hood to conceal their identity while committing an unlawful act. Arlington County Police recently charged a juvenile with wearing a mask in public in connection with a robbery in April.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the recent ding-dong ditch incidents to contact police.