In a surprising turn of events, authorities have revealed that a chaotic incident caught on a doorbell camera in Virginia was not an attempted home invasion but rather a misguided prank by relatives.
Key Points to Note
- The Alexandria Police Chief clarified that the three masked individuals were actually family members pulling off a prank.
- Officers responded to the 911 call within two minutes; it was initially classified as a suspicious activity before being escalated to a burglary in progress.
- Thanks to various tips and interviews, the suspects were identified, but no charges will be filed after consulting with the family.
On October 27, the Alexandria Police Department provided an update indicating that the incident, which happened on October 14, involved a woman and her two teenage sons—aged 14 and 16—along with her nephew. These individuals were seen aggressively knocking on the door, while two other adults nearby were filming the entire scene.
The police department decided not to disclose the names of those involved after discussions with the Commonwealth Attorney and the family.
Officers rushed to the scene following a 911 call, which was first flagged as suspicious activity before it was updated to a possible burglary in progress. The Criminal Investigations Bureau spent over 100 hours working to identify the people involved. It was uncovered that the victim initially reached out to her brother prior to calling the police, and crucial tips received after the press conference helped pinpoint the suspects.
In a statement, Chief Tarrick McGuire condemned the situation as a “serious moral failure” that had the potential for deadly outcomes, emphasizing that “adults need to take responsibility for their children’s actions, as it is their duty to steer them properly.”
Residents are being reminded to avoid uninvited approaches to private homes, especially with Halloween approaching, and they can expect to see an increased police presence in neighborhoods.
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<pPreviously, it was reported that the masked individuals made threatening statements such as, "It’s either you come out or we come in" while trying to gain entry by damaging the back screen door of the house, as shared by Shayla Whiteside.
Shayla recounted her fear during the incident, stating, “They were pounding on the door… It just grew more intense. They even threatened to grab a chair to break down the door.”
Chief McGuire previously warned that residents have the right to self-defense, advising against making threats or endangering lives.
