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Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Associated Press
Robinson Law, PLLC Hired in Virginia "Ding Dong Ditch" Fatal Shooting Case
Fairfax, VA May 19, 2025 --( )-- Robinson Law, PLLC, a top Virginia criminal and personal injury law firm, has been hired to represent Tyler Chase Butler of Spotsylvania County following charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and use of firearm. 'We are prepared to defend our client in this terrible tragedy and are confident the facts of what transpired that early Saturday morning at Mr. Butler's home will be fully exposed,' said Michael Robinson, founder and CEO of Robinson Law, PLLC. The case will be litigated by Frank A. Webb and Sarah M. Buskirk of Robinson Law, PLLC. Contact Information: Robinson Law, PLLC Michael Robinson (703) 844-3746 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Robinson Law, PLLC Hired in Virginia 'Ding Dong Ditch' Fatal Shooting Case Press Release Distributed by
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Virginia homeowner reveals why he shot dead a teenage boy playing 'innocent' doorbell prank
The Virginia homeowner who opened fire on a teenage boy playing a prank on his doorstep says he thought the boy was trying to break into his home - so he opened fire. Michael Alan Bosworth Jr., 18, was killed when the 'ding dong ditch' prank took a violent turn on May 3. He had knocked on the door of Tyler Chase Butler, 27, in the early hours of the morning. Butler told police he thought the youngster was trying to burglarize him - so he opened fire to defend himself and his property. The tragedy occurred in the rural town of Fredricksburg, Virginia, 58 miles north of Richmond, the state capital, just hours before Bosworth was to attend the school prom later the same day with his girlfriend of three years. Butler allegedly opened fire after the three friends performed the social media stunt at his home. Bosworth was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries. One of the other two friends was also allegedly grazed by a bullet fired by Butler but survived. A May 6 statement by Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said Butler was arrested for second degree murder, malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail with no bond. According to NBC News4 Washington, Butler told told detectives he feared the teens were trying to break into his home. A search warrant affidavit reportedly obtained by NBC News, one of the surviving teens told detectives that the friends were recording ding-dong ditch pranks for a TikTok video, which involves ringing doorbells then running away. The teen explained that they had already been to a couple of homes in the neighborhood and that he was not familiar with the area. Sports fan Bosworth, a student at Massaponax High School, reportedly played lacrosse and football and was also on the wrestling team. The sheriff's office also revealed that deputies initially responded to reports of a burglary in progress on McKenzie Lane 'where a resident had fired shots'. His devastated girlfriend Malinda Garcia, a cheerleader at the same school, paid tribute to the slain teen as she attended prom without him. She wore Bosworth's bow tie on her wrist to the event, saying he was 'by her side' in spirit. 'Nothing can explain the way I feel right now,' the teenager wrote on her Instagram account on Sunday as she shared a series of photographs from prom and of Bosworth. 'I am at a loss of words and just can't believe this is even real. I feel like I'm living in my worst nightmare and will wake up from a dream. 'But this is my reality, you will always be cherished in my heart forever. 'You have been such an amazing boyfriend, these past three years have been my best days of living as even though sometimes everyday isn't easy we always pushed through. 'You were such an amazing person and so many people love you and miss you. This is not fair and you did not deserve this at all. 'You stay forever in my heart and my love for you will never go away. You were the best boyfriend, person, brother, son, and friend that anyone could ask for.' The boy who was grazed by a bullet said videos on the teenagers' phones prove that they were playing a game, not attempting to break in to Butler's home. He said they were not familiar with the neighborhood and were attempting to flee when shots were fired. Video posted on social media showed Bosworth's friends releasing black and blue balloons on the sports field in his memory on Tuesday. The online memorial adds he is survived by his mother, Rebekah Webb, stepdad Joshua, father Michael Bosworth, Sr.; sister, Isabell Bosworth and brothers Jason Bosworth and Liam Webb, as well as other close family members. One emotional message of condolence on the site read: 'It will forever be long live you my boy. You didn't deserve this at all. Justice will be served!!!! I hope you are dancing in the sky Michael, we will keep you in our hearts always and forever. Rest easy Bos.' Another said of Bosworth, 'he could always make me laugh.' The family will 'receive friends' at a local chapel on May 20 and a 'celebration of life' is scheduled for the following day.
Black America Web
10-05-2025
- Black America Web
Black Homeowner Charged With Murder After Teen TikTok Prank Goes Wrong
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Radio One / General Another TikTok prank has turned fatal, but the conversation surrounding it is more than just another cautionary tale of social media gone wrong. The story takes us to Spotsylvania County, Virginia, where 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr. was shot and killed while participating in a 'ding dong ditch' prank — a social media challenge that involves ringing doorbells and fleeing before the homeowner can answer. The shooter, 27-year-old Tyler Chase Butler, now faces charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Bosworth, a senior at Massaponax High School, was out with two friends at around 3 a.m. on May 3, recording videos of their nighttime mischief for TikTok. When they approached Butler's home, what they saw as a prank quickly escalated into tragedy. Butler, who claims he believed the teens were attempting to break into his home, fired his weapon, striking Bosworth in the torso. The young man later died at Mary Washington Hospital. One of his friends sustained minor injuries, while the other was unharmed. The community has been gripped by grief. Bosworth's girlfriend, Malinda Garcia, attended their senior prom wearing his pink bow tie around her wrist, and his classmates held a vigil, releasing balloons in his memory. As the tragedy of Bosworth's death dominates headlines, it also raises another question: why is this story being told the way it is? Consider a similar case: the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager in Kansas City, Missouri, who was shot twice by an 84-year-old white homeowner, Andrew Lester, after mistakenly ringing the wrong doorbell while attempting to pick up his siblings. Lester initially avoided charges until public outcry forced the hand of local authorities. The coverage of Yarl's story rightfully highlighted issues of race, profiling, and a trigger-happy mentality that put an innocent Black teenager in the hospital. Social media exploded with demands for justice, and even celebrities spoke out in outrage. But where is that same energy for Tyler Chase Butler? Is it because he is a Black man who shot a white teen? Or is it because Bosworth's alleged 'prank' for TikTok gives a convenient narrative for those eager to blame the homeowner? Somehow, the focus has shifted from the recklessness of the 18-year-old and two juveniles, who decided to trespass on a stranger's property at 3 a.m. to the reaction of a homeowner who was protecting his home from a perceived threat, creating a narrative that almost justifies the three teens' actions — even though the teens admitted to breaking the law by trespassing and disturbing the peace for their prank. According to the affidavit, '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.' One teen said that they had been to a couple of homes in the neighborhood and that he was not familiar with the area. The second teen gave a similar account and told detectives that he had a video on his phone of them doing the prank earlier that day, according to the affidavit. Butler told investigators that he believed the teens were trying to break into his home, NBC Washington reported. Despite Butler confirming to authorities that he believed he was defending his home from a potential break-in, the narrative has largely painted him as an aggressor rather than a homeowner reacting to a threat. The teens involved are described as harmless pranksters, while Butler is cast as a criminal whose actions were somehow malicious rather than defensive. Media reports are filled with heartwarming tributes to Bosworth, while Butler's fears are barely acknowledged. This stark contrast is a reminder of how race can dictate both public perception and the pursuit of justice. When a white homeowner shoots an innocent Black teenager, it's immediately swept under the rug or attributed to the victim allegedly intending violence, even when they're simply asking for directions. But when a Black homeowner shoots a white teen engaged in suspicious behavior at an odd hour, the focus is on the innocence of the pranksters and the criminality of the shooter. Self-defense laws, particularly 'stand your ground' and 'castle doctrine' statutes, are meant to protect homeowners from harm in situations where they reasonably fear for their safety. But these laws are only as fair as the justice system that enforces them, and too often, that fairness is tainted by racial bias. The story of Tyler Chase Butler is a perfect example of how easily a narrative can be manipulated. A Black man, woken from sleep in the dead of night, saw a threat and reacted. And now, he is charged with murder. To be clear, the tragic loss of Michael Bosworth Jr. should not be minimized; a young life was cut short in a senseless incident fueled by the pursuit of online fame, but that is the true issue affecting the safety of our children. In a world where race colors every aspect of justice, it is crucial to tell the full story, even when it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. SEE ALSO: Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Reclaimed the Narrative for Black Culture NY AG Letitia James Considers Probe Into Trump's Tariff Flip-Flop SEE ALSO Black Homeowner Charged With Murder After Teen TikTok Prank Goes Wrong was originally published on
New York Times
09-05-2025
- New York Times
Teenager Fatally Shot During ‘Ding Dong Ditch' TikTok Prank
A Virginia man has been charged with second degree murder after fatally shooting a teenager who was filming a prank for TikTok known as 'ding dong ditch' with two friends around 3 a.m. on Saturday, according to court records and local authorities. The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office responded to a reportof a resident firing shots during a burglary, and found two teenagers with gunshot wounds, the office said in a statement. One of the teenagers, Michael Bosworth Jr., 18, later died of his wounds. The second person was treated for minor injuries, and a third person in the group was unharmed, the sheriff's office said. The two friends with Mr. Bosworth were both under 18. The teenagers had been in the neighborhood to make a TikTok video, one of them told investigators in an affidavit filed in Spotsylvania Circuit Court. A 'ding dong ditch' prank involves ringing doorbells or knocking on the front doors of houses before running away, and has become popular fodder for social media videos. 'The juvenile advised it's something that people are doing to put on TikTok,' the affidavit said. The group had knocked on a few doors in the area, one of the teenagers told a detective, adding that they were not familiar with the neighborhood. They were running away from a residence when they were shot, according to the affidavit. At least one video showing the teenagers doing the prank was still on one of the friends' phones, the affidavit said. The authorities arrested Tyler Chase Butler, 27, of Spotsylvania County, on Tuesday on charges of second degree murder, malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, the sheriff's office said. He was being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond, it said. Mr. Bosworth was a senior at Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg, Va. The high school, which was set to hold its graduation for seniors on May 13, sent a message to the school community that counselors would be available to help grieving students. . A spokesman for the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office, reached by phone, declined to comment further. A lawyer for Mr. Butler did not immediately respond to requests for comment. G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Commonwealth's Attorney for Spotsylvania County, declined to comment but said a preliminary hearing had been scheduled for June 18. This style of prank has led to tragedy in the past. In 2020, a man in California crashed into a car of six teenagers, killing three of them, after they played a similar prank on him. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2023. On Tuesday, a group of students gathered on the football field at Massaponax High School to remember their classmate, according to a video shared by an Instagram account run by students from the school. They shared memories about Mr. Bosworth and wrote messages on balloons before releasing them at sunset.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia homeowner charged with murder after shooting high school teen during attempted break-in, sheriff says
A Virginia man was charged with murder after authorities say he shot a high school teen who he believed was trying to break into his house, though the surviving teens claim they were filming a ding-dong-ditch prank for TikTok. Tyler Chase Butler, 27, was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said. Butler also faces charges of malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Legal experts told Fox News Digital that the case will rest on whether Butler used the right amount of force and if he reasonably believed his life was in imminent danger. "The individual facts are really going to shed light on are the charges against Mr. Butler valid or unjust," Jessica Ledingham, a federal litigator and criminal defense attorney said, adding that the charges would make sense if the teens were outside his home, where they are less likely to be perceived as a threat. Kentucky Courthouse Where Sheriff Allegedly Killed Judge Plagued By Sex Abuse Allegations: Lawsuit Deputies responded at around 3 a.m. Saturday to a call for a residential burglary in progress, where a resident had fired shots and found Bosworth and another teen with gunshot wounds, the sheriff's office said. A third teen was found unharmed. Read On The Fox News App Bosworth died of his injuries in the hospital while the other injured teen was treated for minor injuries and released. Both surviving teens are juveniles and were not named publicly. The surviving teens told investigators they were recording themselves doing a "ding-dong-ditch" as part of a TikTok challenge, FOX5 DC reported, citing court documents. One of Butler's neighbors shared home surveillance footage with the outlet that shows the three teens going up to Butler's home and not only ringing the doorbell but banging, kicking and slamming on a garage door. Karen Read's Google Timeline Derailed Again As 2Nd Expert Disputes Defense Claims Jamie E. Wright, a Los Angeles trial attorney and founder of the Wright Law Firm, told Fox News Digital that "stand your ground" or "castle doctrine" laws vary in each state, though "most don't give blanket permission to use lethal force simply to protect property." "Based on what's been reported, shooting at teenagers involved in a prank, even one as reckless as a late-night ding-dong-ditch, is unlikely to meet that legal standard," Wright said. "Social media challenges like this can certainly escalate tensions and lead to tragic misunderstandings, but they don't typically create a legal justification for deadly self-defense." Madeline Summerville, a national trial attorney and legal analyst, told Fox News Digital that "castle doctrine" laws allow for the use of deadly force to prevent an aggressor from entering your home – if the homeowner truly believes their life is in danger. "Every case is different, however, and the applicability of the castle doctrine in this case will rest upon whether the Defendant truly believed he was in imminent danger of bodily harm or death," Summerville said. Bosworth was a multi-sport athlete at Massaponax High School. His classmates held a vigil for him on Tuesday night. Butler was being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on no article source: Virginia homeowner charged with murder after shooting high school teen during attempted break-in, sheriff says
