In a tragic incident in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, an 18-year-old named Michael Bosworth, Jr. was shot and killed while participating in a “ding-dong ditch” prank for TikTok. The homeowner, 27-year-old Tyler Chase Butler, was charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The shooting occurred around 3 a.m. when deputies responded to reports of a residential burglary in progress after Butler fired shots at Bosworth and another juvenile.
Bosworth was critically injured and later died at the hospital, while a second juvenile sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was released. A third teen was unharmed. According to a search warrant affidavit, the teens were filming their pranks, ringing doorbells and then fleeing. One of the teens stated that they were unfamiliar with the area and ran to hide after being shot at.
Bosworth was a senior at Massaponax High School and was killed just hours before his school’s prom, prompting the district to offer counseling support for students struggling with the loss. Counselors will be available at the event and upon students’ return to school.
Butler, who believed the teens were attempting to break into his home, is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail. It’s not clear if he has engaged legal representation. The community is left mourning the unexpected loss of a young life and grappling with the implications of the incident.
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