The so-called “door kick challenge” has been spreading on TikTok and other social media platforms.
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm on a dangerous social media trend after a man kicked in the front door of a Washington home early Saturday.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at 3:30 a.m. local time on May 9 at a Gig Harbor home. The homeowner could be heard describing the incident in body camera footage released by the PCSO.
“I hear, bang, bang! Five loud bangs on the front door,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re pranking or not, people die from pranks. It’s a good way to not get to be 25 [years old].”
A male suspect approached the home and kicked the door multiple times, shattering the door frame, according to Deputy Carly Cappetto. Two other suspects were seen fleeing the scene with him.
“These were grown men,” she said. “We don’t really see a lot of adults doing these types of challenges.”
The so-called “door kick challenge” has been spreading on TikTok and other social media platforms. Participants record themselves kicking or banging on doors before running away.
Last summer in Houston, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the back and killed after knocking on a door and running away as part of the prank. The man who fired the shots is now facing murder charges.
Cappetto said the agency has seen similar pranks throughout Pierce County, but so far there have been no reports of injuries caused by interactions with homeowners.
“There are a lot of people who are registered firearm owners and they have firearms at their doors. They will shoot if they feel like someone is breaking into their house. I don’t think that really crosses their minds when there’s a group of them and peer pressure,” Cappetto said.
She urged parents to talk to their kids about the potentially dangerous consequences of any prank.
“Is it potentially going to hurt somebody, or will it cause property damage?” she said. “And if you answer yes to any of those questions, you should not be doing the prank.”