In a startling incident in the Cincinnati suburb of Green Township, a homeowner resorted to gunfire in response to a group of young pranksters engaging in a classic “ding-dong-ditch” prank. Authorities reported that the homeowner, identified as 33-year-old Yarvis Godfrey, was arrested after allegedly shooting at the pranksters’ car as they attempted a hasty retreat from his property.
Local news outlet WXIX detailed that police, upon investigating, discovered several shell casings and a semi-automatic pistol equipped with a green laser at Godfrey’s residence. The seriousness of the situation was underscored by bullet holes found in the trunk of the pranksters’ black Kia Rio, as well as in the siding of two nearby homes. Additionally, a .45-caliber shell casing was recovered from the road in front of Godfrey’s house, as noted in court documents.
Remarkably, no one was injured in the shooting, despite the alarming circumstances. The group of juveniles explained to police that their intention was merely to carry out a harmless prank by knocking on the door and then quickly driving away. They recounted their experience to law enforcement as outlined in the affidavit.
Bullet holes also discovered in the trunk of the pranksters’ black Kia Rio and in the siding of two nearby homes, while a .45-caliber shell casing was found on the road in front of Godfrey’s house, court records show.
None of the youngsters was struck in the shooting.
The four juveniles told police they drove to the home to “ding-dong-ditch,” banged on its front door and then jumped back in their vehicle to leave, according to the affidavit.
They drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, turned around and drove back up the street, passing Godfrey’s home again, according to the affidavit.
That’s when they saw a man holding a gun with a green light or laser standing near the street before he fired multiple rounds at their vehicle, court records claim.
The juveniles fled to another cul-de-sac while Godfrey followed them and confronted the four as police arrived, according to the affidavit.
Godfrey was charged with felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school safety zone and two counts of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, court records show.
The incident is the latest violent altercation after “ding-dong-ditch” pranks started surging in popularity on social media in recent years.
In January, a North Carolina homeowner was arrested after he allegedly shot a juvenile who was taking part in the prank on houses on his street.
Craig Steven Mason told investigators he fired multiple rounds at a vehicle driving without headlights past his Statesville home after he was woken by the sound of banging on his neighbor’s door.
In September, a Texas man was charged with fatally shooting an 11-year-old boy playing “ding-dong-ditch” on his Houston home.
Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, is accused of gunning down Julian Guzman just moments after the child rang his doorbell.
