Prom Night Tragedy: Virginia Teen Michael Bosworth Fatally Shot in TikTok Prank Gone Wrong

A viral prank turned deadly when 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr. was fatally shot on prom night during a “ding-dong ditch” TikTok challenge in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The teen and his friends knocked on a door as part of the trend, unaware of the danger ahead. Homeowner Tyler Chase Butler, 27, allegedly fired at the teens, killing Bosworth and injuring another. Butler has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond. Bosworth, a high school senior and football player, was hours away from attending prom. His death has sparked nationwide outrage, reigniting debates around gun use, viral social media stunts, and youth safety. What should have been a night of celebration ended in irreversible tragedy—leaving a community devastated and a family forever changed.