A Florida man’s reaction to a neighborhood prank took a serious turn, leading to his arrest after he allegedly pointed a firearm at a teenager involved in a ding-dong ditch game.
The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. on October 16, when Santiago Cairo, 40, observed a group near the front of his Boca Raton residence, suspecting a possible break-in, according to a report by WPTV.
In response, Cairo contacted 911 and armed himself before confronting a 14-year-old outside his home.
As per arrest documents reviewed by WPTV, Cairo claimed he did not directly aim the gun at the teenager but maintained it in a “low ready position” while waiting for the police to arrive.
Santiago Cairo was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Palm Beach County, Florida, on October 16, 2025. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
However, the teen involved in the prank contends that Cairo’s actions were more aggressive than initially described.
While the teen admitted to ding-dong ditching Cairo’s home, he told investigators that Cairo confronted him holding a flashlight and a gun, yelling, “You messed with the wrong guy,” WPTV reported.
The teen said Cairo then ordered him to get down on his knees, and at one point grabbed his shoulder in an attempt to push him to the ground – ultimately leaving him feeling threatened, according to WPTV.
Santiago Cairo is facing criminal charges after allegedly confronting a 14-year-old with a gun over a ding-dong ditch prank at his Boca Raton, Florida home on Oct. 16, 2025. (iStock)
Investigators later determined the young prankster never attempted to break into Cairo’s home, with Cairo admitting to police that he “went too far” when responding to the situation.
”All I can say is that Mr. Cairo never in fact pointed his firearm at anyone or put his hands on anyone,” Cairo’s attorney told WPTV.
Cairo’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Cairo was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, the outlet reported. He was released from jail on a $10,000 bond.
The Boca Raton homeowner allegedly confronted a 14-year-old over a ding-dong ditch prank, in which Santiago Cairo believed the teen was attempting to break into his home. (iStock)
However, his neighbor, Mary Elizabeth Hall, reportedly expressed her support for Cairo while adding that she felt disappointed how the events unfolded.
“I witnessed the mother drive away with her children in the back,” Hall told WPTV. “While my neighbor, Santiago, was sitting handcuffed in the back of the car.”
Hall added that their South Florida neighborhood has seen an influx in car break-ins, while defending her neighbor’s actions.
“I question if it was a prank, or if they were trying to steal something,” Hall said, according to WPTV. “My neighbor did the right thing, and the outcome was not the right thing.”
Hall is set to appear in front of a judge next month.
“I hope the outcome is that the young man learns a very serious lesson,” Hall added. “And that my neighbor, Santiago, his name is cleared.”
