Latest news with #MichaelBosworthJr.
Global News
09-05-2025
- Global News
Teen shot, killed by Virginia homeowner while recording TikTok prank
A Virginia homeowner was arrested on a murder charge after police say he shot and killed an 18-year-old high school senior when a TikTok prank went wrong. In a news release, the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said officers received a call about a residential burglary in progress around 3 a.m. on May 3, during which a resident had fired shots. 'Deputies responded to the area of Mckenzie Lane and discovered that two individuals had sustained gunshot wounds and a third individual was unharmed,' the release added. According to police, Michael Bosworth Jr., 18, was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. 'The second injured individual is a juvenile, who was treated for minor injuries and released. The third involved individual was also a juvenile and will remain unnamed,' according to the news release. Story continues below advertisement Police later identified the suspect as Tyler Butler, 27, in an updated release. View image in full screen A mugshot of Tyler Chase Butler, who was arrested for second-degree murder after an 18-year-old was shot and killed. Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office / Facebook He was arrested on charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Bosworth's death. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Butler told officers that he believed the teenagers were trying to break into his home, according to NBC Washington. One of the teens told detectives that they were recording a 'ding-dong ditch' prank for a TikTok video, in which they have someone ring people's doorbells and then run away before they can answer the door, according to a search warrant affidavit viewed by NBC News. Global News has not independently viewed the legal documents. Story continues below advertisement One teen said they had been to other houses in the neighbourhood but he was not familiar with the area. 'The juvenile stated that they had run to hide. The juvenile said as they were running from a residence, he and his friends were shot at,' the affidavit said, according to the outlet. The second teen gave a similar statement and told officers he had a video on his phone of them doing the prank earlier that day. Massaponax High School, where Bosworth was a student, released a statement following his death. 'School counselors will be on site at the event to provide support as needed,' the school district said in a letter. 'Also, when students return to school on Monday, our counseling staff and additional division support team members will be available to provide support to our students and staff as needed. 'If your child needs support, please contact the school so that we can provide assistance. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.' The Spotsylvania County commonwealth's lawyer is reviewing the evidence to determine if charges are appropriate or if the homeowner was justifiable in opening fire. Butler is set to have a preliminary hearing on June 18.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen Shot Dead During TikTok Ding-Dong Ditch Prank
Originally appeared on E! Online A popular childhood prank has cost a Virginia teen his life. Michael Bosworth Jr., a senior at Massaponax High School, was shot dead May 3 while doing 'ding dong ditch pranks,' his friend—who was grazed by a bullet—told authorities, according to NBC4 Washington. A third teen, who was not injured during the incident, confirmed to officials that they filmed a video of the prank. The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, citing an affidavit for a search warrant filed in a Spotsylvania court, also reported that a wounded juvenile told police that the shooting followed a ding-dong ditch prank and a detective wrote that the boy told him that he and his friends had pulled it on a couple of homes prior to the shooting, in a bid to post them on TikTok. The boy also told police that he was not familiar with the neighborhood and that when the shooting occurred, the teens were running away and looking for a place to hide, the newspaper said. The wounded teen told police that the shooting followed a ding-dong ditch prank and a detective wrote that the boy told him that he and his friends had pulled it on a couple of homes prior to the shooting, in a bid to post them on TikTok, the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star reported May 6, citing an affidavit for a search warrant filed in a Spotsylvania court. The boy also told police that he was not familiar with the neighborhood and that when the shooting occured, the teens were running away and looking for a place to hide, the outlet said. The third teen, who was uninjured, told authorities the group was filming dingdong ditch pranks for TikTok, offering their phone to police to show a similar video shot earlier that night, NBC Washington reported. More from E! Online 'On May 3, 2025 at approximately 3:00 a.m., the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office received a call for a residential burglary in progress, where a resident had fired shots,' authorities confirmed in a press release. 'Deputies responded to the area of Mckenzie Lane and discovered that two individuals had sustained gunshot wounds and a third individual was unharmed." Bowsworth was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, while his friend was treated for 'minor injuries and released.' Instagram / Michael Bosworth Jr. Fredericksburg homeowner Tyler Chase Butler, 27, was arrested May 6 in connection with the death. He was charged with second-degree murder and felony assault with firearm use in commission of felony—first offense, according to Spotsylvania County court records obtained by E! News. Butler, who is being held in jail without bond, told investigators before his arrest that the teens were trying to break into his home, NBC Washington reported. The shooting took place hours before the Massaponax High School prom and less than two weeks before graduation. On May 6, several of Bosworth's friends released helium balloons on the school's football field to honor his memory, as seen in a Facebook video. Khamoni Keys, who said he was teammates with Bosworth on the freshman football team, shared memories of his late friend after the shooting, saying he "wasn't ever scared to show how he felt about things." "He was a very passionate person about stuff," he told local news outlet ABC 7. "It's sad he had to go the way he did, but I know his family won't be by themselves. We will all be there for them, as well." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
