A man from North Carolina has been jailed on serious felony charges following an alleged shooting incident involving a juvenile engaged in the game known as “ding-dong ditch” within his neighborhood. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office shared details of the incident, which unfolded late Saturday evening.
Around 11:20 p.m., deputies who were in the midst of a traffic stop in Statesville, North Carolina, were alerted by the sound of gunfire coming from a nearby residential area. Responding swiftly, law enforcement officers moved towards the Absher Farm Loop area, hoping to determine the source of the shots. Amidst their investigation, a 911 call came in, reporting a person with a gunshot wound on Castle Pines Lane, not far from the initial gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a scene of chaos: an abandoned vehicle was found in the middle of the road, its passenger doors ajar, shards of glass scattered around, and visible bullet holes punctured through the car. Nearby, a group of five juveniles was discovered in a field, one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
Craig Steven Mason faces multiple charges in connection with the shooting. These include felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily harm, as detailed by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Craig Steven Mason is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. (Iredell County Sheriff’s Office)
One of the juveniles in the group had a gunshot wound to the leg, police said.
As authorities conducted their initial investigation, they learned the group was traveling through the neighborhood when an unknown individual fired at their vehicle and struck the juvenile in the leg.
While gathering additional evidence, including witness interviews and surveillance video, investigators were approached by Craig Steven Mason, who identified himself as the shooter, police said.
A juvenile was shot while partaking in a “ding-dong ditch prank” in a Statesville, North Carolina neighborhood – located approximately 40 miles from Charlotte – on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. (iStock)
Mason reportedly told investigators he was asleep inside his home when he was awoken by loud noises coming from a nearby residence, causing him to retrieve his handgun and go outside to investigate the cause of the sound.
“Mason told detectives he observed a vehicle driving through the neighborhood with no headlights on, and he fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle as it passed,” the department said.
The vehicle was subsequently struck four times, with one round striking the juvenile passenger in the leg.
Craig Steven Mason was issued no bond after allegedly shooting a juvenile partaking in a “ding-dong ditch” prank in his neighborhood in Statesville, North Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Google Maps)
Detectives later learned the group was reportedly partaking in a game of “ding-dong ditch” in the neighborhood, a common prank in which individuals ring doorbells before running away, but did not approach Mason’s home.
On Monday, authorities arrested Mason on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. He was issued no bond as he awaits an appearance before a district court judge.
Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate an attorney representing Mason.
As of Monday, the juvenile victim was in the hospital and still receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment, citing an active investigation.
