Virginia High School Senior Killed During TikTok Prank; Suspect Charged With Murder

A graduation celebration turned tragic in Fredericksburg, Virginia, when a high school senior was fatally shot during a doorbell prank gone wrong.

The victim, 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., a student at Massaponax High School, was participating in what authorities say was a social media prank known as "ding-dong-ditch" — ringing doorbells and running away — while filming for a TikTok video. The incident occurred Saturday evening in a residential neighborhood just days before the school's graduation ceremony.

According to court documents, Bosworth and two other teenagers targeted several homes before approaching the home of 27-year-old Tyler Chase Butler. Authorities say Butler, believing there was an attempted home burglary, opened fire. One of the teens was also injured and survived; the third was not physically harmed.

Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputies arrested Butler at the scene. He now faces charges including second-degree murder. He is currently being held without bond.

“It’s been very emotional, honestly,” said classmate Khamoni Keys. “We graduate next week, and he was a very passionate person. Just sad that he had to go the way he did.”

Investigators obtained search warrants for the survivors' phones and confirmed that the group had been filming the prank for social media. Both teens were read their Miranda rights, but no charges have been filed against them at this time.

As the Massaponax High School community gathered for “Senior Sunset,” a planned end-of-year tradition, classmates leaned on each other for support. “No one’s alone,” said Keys. “We’re all together right now.”

Credit: CNN Newsource
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.