Violent TikTok Challenge Has Homeowners Reaching for Guns

A dangerous TikTok challenge sweeping Southern California has teenagers violently kicking residential doors, prompting police warnings and frightening homeowners into grabbing firearms.

The viral dare represents a violent twist on ding-dong ditch. Participants bang on or kick doors hard enough to damage them, then post videos online.

Murrieta police initially investigated the incidents as attempted burglaries. They later discovered the vandalisms were linked to social media.

“It might look like harmless internet fun, but it’s really vandalism that can escalate into criminal charges, injuries, or worse,” Murrieta police said in a report by The Press-Enterprise^[a].

Teens have been arrested in Florida, Washington state, Texas, New Jersey and Illinois, the report said. Orange County authorities have also taken vandalism reports.

The challenge puts participants at serious risk. Residents don’t know the intentions of someone violently striking their door.

“You put yourself in danger because someone in the house does not know what your intentions are,” Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gerard McCann told The Press-Enterprise.

Some victims described terrifying encounters.

Riverside County resident Gerry Golia thought an earthquake hit. The pounding was so loud he feared his locked door would break open.

“Thank God the door held because the outcome would not have been good,” Golia wrote on Facebook.

Another resident, Genny Olson, reported an incident at 3 a.m. “Shook us up pretty bad,” she wrote.

Bruce Shibley’s family got a big dog after their door was kicked.

The Murrieta police Facebook post drew more than 300 comments. Many urged parents to raise their children better.

The region knows how pranks can turn deadly. The Press Enterprise recalled that in January 2020, six Temescal Valley boys played ding-dong ditch at Anurag Chandra’s home. One boy mooned the house.

Chandra pursued the teens in his car. He rammed their vehicle until it crashed into a tree.

Three 16-year-olds died: Daniel Hawkins, Drake Ruiz and Jacob Ivascu. Three others were critically injured.

Chandra was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. He is serving three life sentences without parole.