Ding-dong-ditch prank goes too far after two Delaware teenagers showed up in masks and carrying weapons to torment neighborhood

Two teens have been charged by police in New Castle County, Delaware, after they were spotted knocking on people’s doors while wearing tactical gear, masks, and carrying guns. Door cam footage showed the suspects knocking on doors in their frightening get-up before running away.

Ding-Dong-Ditch is a timeless tradition, a prank that most people likely played on their neighbors or even strangers when growing up, but that doesn’t mean it is without risks. In some rare instances, a game of Ding-Dong-Ditch has been known to end with someone getting hurt, or worse, even killed. 

In this case, the teenage pranksters were the ones posing a risk, as residents in a neighborhood in Delaware called police after door cam footage appeared to show them carrying weapons.

According to CBS News, New Castle County Police received a call on Friday night, reporting suspicious individuals around the 1200 block of Canvasback Drive. Police were told that people carrying what appeared to be guns and dressed in tactical gear and masks were going around and knocking on people’s doors.

Police identified and arrested the culprits

Footage shared online showed one of the creepily dressed individuals walking up to the porch, with a black hockey mask covering his face and what appeared to be a rifle in his hands. He was seen knocking on the door, ringing the bell, and looking directly into the door camera before running off into the night.

Police reportedly received information on Sunday that allowed them to identify and arrest the suspects. The two behind the prank turned out to be two teenagers, aged 16 and 17. Both of the teens were charged with harassment, criminal mischief, and criminal trespassing, according to CBS.

As for the supposed gun. Police discovered that it was nothing more than a gel bead gun (or an Orbeez gun), after a warrant was obtained to search the homes of the teens. Officers also found tactical vests and hockey masks.

While the teens may have posed no actual threat, people noted that things could have ended badly for them had someone seen them and assumed they were carrying real guns. “So if they get shot, that’s on them.  Stupid! Dummies.” One reply on X reads. “Hilarious right up until someone shoots them,” added another. Others wondered if the teens were trying to impersonate ICE with their frightening get-ups.

According to police, the teens did not make any threats, and it was all a part of a prank. An arraignment hearing for the two teenagers is pending.