Posted on 05/07/2025 6:56:18 AM PDT by thegagline
High school senior playing door bell ditch ? On the day of the prom? I would have figured at that age he’d be pursuing female companionship rather than door bell ditch.
It’s a bad idea to wake someone out of a deep sleep to scare them. The Victim/Defendant has a card, he needs to play it.
I live in North Fort Worth/Keller area, and this is happening all the time. Multiple people on the neighborhood app have posted videos of teenagers not just ringing the doorbell but getting a running start and kicking the door. People have said it definitely sounds like someone is trying to break down the door. This is happening at 3am. Eventually a homeowner was going to panic and shoot someone. Play stupid games..
This.
I’d call it an unfortunate accident initiated by immature teenagers. A cautionary tale.
Law says you can use deadly force to protect yourself inside or outside your home.
You better read up on the conditions required for a legal shoot.
Heres a start...
https://www.concealedcarry-ed.com/utah/studyGuide/Understanding-Virginia-s-Self-Defense-Laws/801046_14285/
Well, he was an athlete and into wrestling.
Some here seem to believe the death penalty is justified for banging on a front door and running.
They were not in his home. They were not in the process of ‘breaking in’. Even a loud door bang is not justification to start blindly shooting people, what if somebody had an emergency?
Sorry, all those claiming ‘FAFO’ or similar, you’re wrong. Sometimes FR disappoints.
I dont know Va law, but I believe Va castle doctrine says the perp must have entered your home. This may have not been a good shoot. That said, what the hell are kids thinking these days, out at 3AM trying to ‘prank’ people who are asleep?
Some states say its the area under your roof during daylight but extends to your property boundary, after dark.
Your mileage may vary...,
Given the ethnicity of the homeowner, this verdict will be difficult to predict. If the dead student was white, his chances are pretty good. If not, race grievance penalties offset and he likely gets a guilty verdict.
Rittenhouse shot three white career criminals. That didn’t stop the media from claiming he shot three black children.
I promise you, they will come up with enough dumb ways to hurt themselves on their own. They do not need the encouragement of the Chi-Coms as well.
Or don't.
And cry at their funeral.
None of my business.
I think you have a point. Kid killed was white. Homeowner was black. Kids turned over their phones to police showing they were just “pranking”. They know it is all fun at 3 am
But the homeowner sound asleep at 3 am doesn’t know it is just a prank. He hears someone trying to break in calls 911 and then goes to protect himself and family.
I hope this doesn’t turn on skin color.
Your point being it depends on the state laws.
I dont live in VA, but a quick read of VA law and, if you believe the story the kids were playing “ding dong ditch”, I dont think the homeowner could justify shooting for being ‘attacked’ outside his door.
But there may be more to the story. Usually is.
Exactly. Butler is screwed.
"As a general rule, Virginia law does not allow deadly force to prevent an entry into a home or dwelling. Nondeadly force, on the other hand, may be used to prevent an unlawful entry into a dwelling. However, Virginia case law does support a version of the "castle doctrine" which allows deadly force to prevent an entry into a dwelling where a person reasonably believes the intruder will commit great bodily injury or death against him."
This is why it is convoluted, VA does not allow shooting outside the home, unless a person "reasonably" believes the person on their property is a threat. Define reasonable, please. Furthermore, how at 3:00 am does a homeowner determine if the threat is reasonable and prevent an unlawful entry without shooting someone outside the house? A good lawyer should be able to get this homeowner off. I see a plea deal coming. But VA needs better laws.
It's a bad idea to aggressively bang on somebody's door at 3:00am.
FAFO. As for murder charges - Not Guilty!
That’s the last BOOM BOOM he is ever going to get
I’ve played that game myself...50 some odd years ago. Different era.
“I feared for my life, and I want an attorney.”
Shame.
this needs to be a lesson to others who decide to play this infantile prank.
Not very safe these days.
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