Overview

• The shooting occurred on May 3 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, during a late-night TikTok 'ding-dong ditch' prank involving three teenagers.
• Michael Bosworth Jr., a high school senior and athlete, was shot in the torso and died hours before his prom; one friend was injured, and another was unharmed.
• Homeowner Tyler Chase Butler told authorities he believed the teens were attempting a break-in, but surviving teens stated they were filming a prank video.
• Butler has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and firearm offenses; he is being held without bond.
• The incident has sparked legal scrutiny over Virginia's self-defense laws and raised concerns about the risks of viral social media trends.