‘Ding-dong ditch’ prank erupts in gunfire, leaving juvenile shot and homeowner under arrest
Craig Steven Mason is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. (Iredell County Sheriff's Office)
A North Carolina man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly shooting a juvenile who was participating in a “ding-dong ditch” prank in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. Saturday in Statesville, North Carolina. Deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office reported hearing gunshots while conducting a traffic stop nearby.
When officers arrived in the Absher Farm Loop area to locate the source of the gunfire, they received a 911 call about a person suffering from a gunshot wound on nearby Castle Pines Lane. Investigators found an unoccupied vehicle in the roadway with passenger doors open, broken glass on the ground, and visible bullet holes. A group of five juveniles was later found in a nearby field, including one with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Authorities said the juveniles were traveling through the neighborhood when an unidentified individual fired at their vehicle, striking one of them. While gathering evidence, including witness statements and surveillance footage, investigators were approached by Craig Steven Mason, who identified himself as the shooter.
Mason reportedly told police he had been asleep when loud noises from a nearby home woke him. He said he retrieved his handgun, went outside, and fired multiple rounds toward a vehicle he observed driving through the neighborhood with no headlights.
Four bullets struck the vehicle, one of which hit the juvenile in the leg. Authorities said the group was playing “ding-dong ditch,” a prank in which participants ring doorbells and run away, but they did not approach Mason’s home.
On Monday, Mason was arrested on charges including felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury. He was held without bond pending a district court appearance.
As of Monday, the juvenile victim remained hospitalized and was receiving medical treatment. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
Fox News Digital was unable to immediately reach an attorney for Mason.
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