A Virginia teenager has tragically lost his life as a result of a misfired TikTok prank. As reported by NBC4 Washington, Michael Bosworth Jr., an 18-year-old, was shot while engaging in a playful act of "ding-dong ditch" with his friends on May 3. During this incident, another friend narrowly escaped with a grazing bullet wound, while a third remained unscathed.
The uninjured friend promptly informed the authorities about the harrowing event, revealing that they had intended to capture the prank for TikTok. According to an affidavit accessed by the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, the youngster confessed to the detective that they had pulled the same prank on other houses in the unfamiliar neighborhood.
He further recounted how the shooting commenced as they scurried away from one of the homes, seeking refuge after ringing the doorbell. The police narrative, issued in a statement, recounted a call received by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 3:00 a.m. on May 3, 2025, reporting a burglary in progress where shots had been fired. Responding deputies discovered two gunshot victims and one uninjured individual on McKenzie Lane.
Tyler Chase Butler, a 27-year-old resident of Fredericksburg, has been apprehended in relation to this fatal incident. Court records from Spotsylvania County indicate that he has been charged with second-degree murder and felony assault with a firearm during the commission of a felony, marked as his first offense. Butler claimed self-defense, asserting that the teenagers were attempting to break into his home.
This heart-wrenching occurrence unfolded just hours before the Massaponax High School prom, the alma mater of Bosworth and his companions. The promising 18-year-old, a football and lacrosse player, perished mere weeks shy of his graduation. In a poignant gesture of mourning, Bosworth's friends released balloons on the school's football field, paying homage to his vibrant spirit.
"He was incredibly passionate about everything," a heartfelt friend shared with ABC 7 News. "It's devastating to see him go this way, but I'm certain his family won't be alone in their grief. We will all stand by them during this difficult time."
Rest in peace, Michael Bosworth Jr. Our deepest condolences extend to his cherished friends, family, and loved ones during this period of sorrow.
