Latest news with #ChadChronister
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Purge-style prank sweeping America sees several teens put in cuffs
A terrifying viral social media prank carried out by teenagers who trick victims into thinking their home is being broken into has swept America. A recent video of the purge-style prank, similar to the dystopian movie series about an America where all crime is legal for one night of the year, shows a group of five Florida teens making their way toward a home in Riverview - about 20 minutes from Tampa - on Friday at around 10.40pm. Shocking Ring doorbell footage captured the moment one of the unidentified teens walked toward the house with a ski mask covering their face while holding an airsoft gun before kicking the front door, firing a plastic pellet, and running away, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. In the clip, the teen can be seen pointing the gun at the front door and firing it as several shots rang out. He then darts out onto the street with the rest of the group, laughing as they run. Chronister, who called the new trend the 'door kick challenge,' said the prank is making waves across TikTok and needs to stop immediately. Alongside a clip of the prank on X he wrote: 'Parents, please talk with your children about this dangerous trend, which could end in tragedy.' The sheriff has asked anyone with information on the suspects in the video to call the department. A slew of similar incidents have taken place in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and more. This is just one of the latest incidents, as two teenagers were slapped with felony burglary charges after they kicked another stranger's front door in the Sunshine State. Jeffery Merthie, 15, and Zahmarii Reddick, 13, were arrested in DeBary, near Orlando, on July 6 after they kicked a neighbor's door in. Merthie and Reddick were seen on doorbell footage sneaking up to the house, before slowly turning around with their backs to the door and kicking it several times before fleeing. Bodycam footage later showed Merthie being placed in cuffs while he stood next to another teen, who was not identified. Both boys told Volusia Sheriff's deputies that they were leaving Reddick's house. One officer asked: 'Where's the girl?' The unidentified teen responded: 'We didn't do nothing, I promise you.' The officer who was placing Merthie in cuffs said: 'I promise you you did. Not you, but he did. 'The camera is crystal clear [of] you running up on their front porch and you turn around and kick their front door in... The camera can not be no more clear.' Merthie was picked up by police after they noticed his 'distinctive' shorts, which were multicolored. When asked why they did it, Merthie told them they were 'just being dumb.' He added: 'We weren't responsible, we won't do that no more.' Merthie tried to defend their actions, saying they just kicked the door, but the officer quickly pulled up photos of the broken door on his phone to show the teen. The door had large chunks of splintered wood and the lock and doorknob was entirely busted off. The officer said: 'That's completely broken in. You know those people could have shot you?' Reddick was taken into custody after her mother allowed officers inside the home to search for the girl. Outside of Florida, a woman in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania - about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia - caught the suspected prank in action at her home in June. Her Ring camera caught a group of teens trying to kick her front door open, leaving damage to it as they did so. Lansdale Police Chief Mike Trail said the department identified the suspects, and said parents need to monitor their children closely. Talking about children's social media use, Trail said: 'Understand that there a lot of safety parameters that you can institute. 'Like family pairing, where you can tell what your kids are looking at.' Also in June, police in Van Buren Township, Michigan responded to two incidents where homeowners said their front doors were forcibly kicked open. One video showed a teen kicking the door while another watched on and recorded it. In May, Fort Worth Police said there were at least 21 reports involving the dangerous prank occurring in multiple parts of the Texas city. Fort Worth police Officer Buddy Calzada, while in conversation with NBCDFW, made it clear that in Texas especially people have 'every right to arm themselves.' The officer said: 'We're in Texas. People have every right to arm themselves, they have whatever they can do to keep somebody from coming into their house. 'And when somebody kicks on it, that may not be what they're wanting to do to break in, but it definitely gives a perception of that.'
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Purge-style teen prank sweeping America that tricks victims into thinking their home is being invaded
A terrifying viral social media prank carried out by teenagers who trick victims into thinking their home is being broken into has swept the nation. A recent video of the purge-style incident, similar to the old-fashioned prank of ding-dong-ditch, showed a group of five Florida teens making their way toward a home in Riverview - about 20 minutes from Tampa - on Friday around 10.40pm. Shocking Ring doorbell footage captured the moment one of the unidentified teens walked toward the house with a ski mask covering their face and an airsoft gun in hand before the juvenile kicked the front door and fired a plastic pellet before running away, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. In the clip, the teen was seen pointing the gun at the front door and firing it as several shots rang out. He then darted out onto the street with the rest of the group, laughing as they ran. Chronister, who called the new trend the 'door kick challenge,' said the prank is making waves across TikTok and needs to stop immediately. 'Parents, please talk with your children about this dangerous trend, which could end in tragedy,' he wrote on X alongside the clip. The sheriff has asked anyone with information on the suspects in the video to call the department. This is just the latest incident, as two teenagers were slapped with felony burglary charges after they kicked another stranger's front door in the Sunshine State. Jeffery Merthie, 15, and Zahmarii Reddick, 13, were arrested in DeBary, near Orlando, on July 6 after they kicked a neighbor's door in. Merthie and Reddick were seen on doorbell footage sneaking up to the house, before slowly turning around with their backs to the door and kicking it several times before fleeing. Bodycam footage later showed Merthie being placed in cuffs while he stood next to another teen, who was not identified. Both boys told Volusia Sheriff's deputies that they were leaving Reddick's house. 'Where's the girl?' another officer asked. 'We didn't do nothing, I promise you,' the unidentified teen told police. 'I promise you you did,' the officer, who was placing Merthie in cuffs, said. 'Not you, but he did. 'The camera is crystal clear [of] you running up on their front porch and you turn around and kick their front door in... The camera can not be no more clear,' the cop continued. Merthie was picked up by police after they noticed his 'distinctive' shorts, which were multicolored. When asked why they did it, Merthie told them they were 'just being dumb.' 'We weren't responsible, we won't do that no more,' he said. Merthie tried to defend their actions, saying they just kicked the door, but the officer quickly pulled up photos of the broken door on his phone to show the teen. The door had large chunks of splintered wood and the lock and doorknob was entirely busted off. 'That's completely broken in,' he said. 'You know those people could have shot you?' Reddick was taken into custody after her mother allowed officers inside the home to search for the girl. Argenis Ruiz, the homeowner who was targeted by the teens, described the terror his family faced that night. 'It was super super loud,' Ruiz told WESH. [I was] clueless. I was just asleep and I woke up startled and scared and just wanted to get my kid out of the way. 'Immediately, we checked our cameras.' Although the prank left him fearful, Ruiz said he is grateful nobody was hurt as a result. He also sent a message to the teens involved in this incident and any others who have participated in it or plan to. 'Be careful [and] be smart. Think about what you're doing. This stuff could affect your life and family members as well,' he told the outlet. It is unclear if Merthie and Reddick will be charged as adults.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Woman killed, man hurt after fight leads to stabbing at park: HCSO
The Brief The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says a dispute led to a stabbing, killing a woman and injuring a man. It happened Sunday evening at Country Run Park in Carrollwood. Few other details have been released. TAMPA, Fla. - A woman died and a man was hurt after Hillsborough County deputies say a dispute led to both people getting stabbed at a park on Sunday evening. What we know According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded to Country Run Park off Anderson Rd. in Carrollwood shortly before 7 p.m. Deputies say a man and woman were involved in a dispute, and they each went to the hospital with stab wounds. The woman died at the hospital, according to HCSO, while the man remains hospitalized as of Monday morning. READ: Domestic dispute turns to gunfire, killing 1 man in Tampa: TPD What they're saying "This violent incident, in a place meant for families and children, is both disturbing and unacceptable," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Our detectives are committed to uncovering the full truth behind this tragic incident. If anyone has information that could assist in this investigation, I urge you to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. What we don't know HCSO has not released the names or ages of the people involved in the incident. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Week-long active threat training held with Hillsborough County deputies
The Brief HCSO held a week-long active threat training at schools, "designed to ensure our deputies are fully prepared to protect students and staff as they return to school." The sheriff's office gave an inside look at what the sheriff called, "Some of the most intense mentally and physically demanding training that any member of the sheriff's office goes through." Deputies conducted training exercises in schools, classrooms and on school buses, among other locations. SEFFNER, Fla. - Video released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows deputies armed with mock weapons searching different areas of the schools, even firing the fake guns. It was part of a week-long active threat training at schools. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said training scenarios include clearing rooms, evacuations, lockdown procedures and emergency first aid. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "Their adrenaline is going in hostage rescue, some shooting, different shooting scenarios as the students are running by you, and you're trying to process who's a good guy, who's a bad guy," Chronister explained. Dig deeper During a news conference at Jennings Middle School Seffner, the sheriff said deputies are also incorporating improved tactics. HCSO will now have real-time access to cameras in schools so they can see live video of potential threats as they happen. The department is also making sure every deputy is prepared, even some who weren't planning to participate in the training. READ: Hillsborough mom names daughter after HCA Florida Brandon nurse who helped during high-risk pregnancy "They were told to come to the school here," Chronister explained. "The moment they got here, they took their guns and their weapons off of them and gave them one of the less lethal weapons that shoots a projectile and said, 'here, you're going to help the deputy. Go run.'" During the annual training, the agency also practices adjusting to new school security laws. Last year, lawmakers required all campus access points, including gates and doors, to remain locked during school hours. What we know This year, however, a new law gave schools more flexibility to determine which access points are locked and when. Local perspective Chronister said his School Threat Assessment and Response Team, or STAR Squad, continues to play a major role in their preparation and response. MORE: Superintendent faces state board over Hillsborough book removals amid backlash at home The team assesses reports of possible threats that come in through the state's Fortify Florida program. Last year, the STAR squad received more than 1,300 complaints, marking an increase of almost 300, compared to the previous year. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NEW FLORIDA LAW: Underage drug dealers involved in fatal overdoses could face murder charges
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office holds a news conference about a Florida law that is going into effect on July 1, 2025. Under the new law, juveniles who distribute narcotics that cause a fatal overdose could now be prosecuted for murder, HCSO said. This update is a direct response to the deaths caused by individuals unknowingly consuming narcotics that are laced with deadly substances. According to HCSO, the new law was sparked by the death of Devin Ramos, 17, who died after unknowingly ingesting a fentanyl-laced pill given to him by a juvenile who could not be held accountable at that time. Sheriff Chad Chronister is joined by Devin's mother, Amy Olmdea, and State Attorney Suzy Lopez. They will speak about the development and importance of Senate Bill 612. Florida Representative Traci Foster and Senator Danny Burgess shared the following statements: 'The tragic death of a young person in our community due to fentanyl poisoning served as a devastating reminder of the lethal consequences tied to illegal drug distribution. In the wake of that loss, Sheriff Chad Chronister stepped forward to bring this issue to the forefront, urging lawmakers to take decisive action to ensure all who peddle in this deadly and unlawful practice can face justice. Senate Bill 612 reflects that call by updating state law to ensure those who unlawfully distribute controlled illegal substances like fentanyl can be held accountable when those drugs result in death. This legislation is about saving lives and delivering justice. I am deeply grateful to Sheriff Chronister for his leadership and to the law enforcement professionals who work every day to confront this crisis and protect our communities.' -Senator Danny Burgess'The scourge of fentanyl is devastating families and destroying communities across our nation. Those who peddle this poison have blood on their hands and should be treated as such in the eyes of the law. To help the brave men and women on the frontlines of this fight, Florida will now be able to hold those who deal in fentanyl to greater account. I'm thankful to Sheriff Chronister and Florida's law enforcement professionals for their commitment to the safety of our state and their willingness to help hold these drug dealers accountable for their deadly actions.' -Representative Traci Koster Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
