Authorities are on the hunt for a frightening threesome who donned Halloween masks in an attempt to break into a residence in Virginia.
Eerie footage from a doorbell camera shows the masked individuals menacingly confronting a family in Alexandria, a short distance from Washington, DC, around 10 PM ET on Tuesday.
Among the trio, one wore a mask of the infamous Michael Myers from the horror film series Halloween, while the other two appeared as a creepy clown and a sinister nun.
The group stood ominously at the entrance, making threatening gestures like drawing their hands across their throats and shouting, “It’s your worst nightmare!”
Voices from the group demanded, “Open the door!” with one adding, “It’s either you coming out or we coming in.”
The homeowner’s daughter, Shayla, informed WUSA that she was staying at her mother’s house following the recent passing of her father.
‘At first I thought it was just a Halloween joke, a little prank,’ she said. ‘So I said, “Happy Halloween.”‘
However, she quickly realized it was not a group of jokesters as they doubled down on their threats.
Police are searching for a terrifying trio who taunted a family inside their Alexandria, Virginia home on Tuesday night
The group stood in front of the home and made threatening gestures, such as running their hands across their throat
‘They kept knocking on the door,’ Shayla said. ‘The knocks would get harder and harder.
‘It’s not even a joke gone wrong. They tried to enter into the home. My heart dropped when they said they were gonna take a chair and break down the door.’
Despite calling 911 and announcing that the cops were on their way, Shayla said the group tried to enter through the back of the house.
‘This whole thing they broke down, as you can tell, they hopped up on here and went through there,’ she said, while indicating their movements.
‘It could have been bad. Our Second Amendment right was not used and could have been, like being very transparent.’
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire announced on Thursday that his department has launched a criminal investigation into the ordeal.
‘This is a very serious matter. They began to make threatening and alarming comments to the family,’ McGuire said.
‘Specifically, they said, “If you do not come out, we will come in,” and also threatened to do bodily harm, stating that they would ultimately kill them.’
One figure wore a Michael Myers mask from the slasher film franchise Halloween (pictured). The group shouted several threatening messages including, ‘It’s your worst nightmare!’
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire announced that the people in the terrifying footage could face criminal charges
The homeowner’s daughter, Shayla (pictured), said she was staying with her mother on the horrifying night because he father had recently passed away
Police believe the group may have fled in a vehicle and are analyzing additional video footage from neighboring homes and businesses.
McGuire said the suspects could face charges including burglary and making criminal threats.
‘They attempted to enter a residence, and under Virginia state law, that constitutes burglary,’ he said.
‘It’s a warning to people: do not go up to people’s doors, make threats, advance their doorways, and play with their lives, because it ultimately can end up in a dangerous event.’
The police chief noted that incidents like this can escalate quickly, especially during the Halloween season.
‘Historically, we have seen pranks around the nation with people wearing masks, trying to mimic movie scenes or horrific films,’ he said.
‘These are serious matters because they are frightening, but most importantly, they can result in serious injury.’
He warned bad actors that residents have the legal right to defend themselves and encouraged the trio to come forward.
‘If you are the one that engaged in this type of behavior, we’re actively searching for you,’ McGuire said.
‘If it was someone young, I encourage parents to come forward. It is better to address this voluntarily than wait for us to make an arrest.’
