Upstate investigation possibly related to national TikTok trend
A social media hoax called the “Door Kick Challenge” has allegedly made its way to the Upstate, causing law enforcement officials to warn parents and young people of its potential tragic consequences.
Investigation Underway
“They’ve been participating in what’s come to light to be a national TikTok trend,” Adam Bradshaw, Investigator with the Travelers Rest Police Department said.
The trend is a dangerous form of “Ding Dong Ditch,” where young people are encouraged to go up to a door and kick it, so it sounds like a home invasion.
“Throughout our investigation, we determined that we believe the suspects are a group of teenagers, juveniles,” Bradshaw continued.
Caught on Camera
Those juveniles were caught on camera June 13 in the Northcliff Neighborhood of Travelers Rest. The Travelers Rest Police Department is looking for information regarding three to four juveniles who allegedly kicked in a door of a house located within the Northcliff Neighborhood on Duchess Court on June 13 around 10 p.m.
Community Response
“I hate what happened to the owners because that’s a scary situation…it broke my heart because we knew the family that it happened to,” Tonya Dill, who lives down the street from where the incident occurred, said.
Besides the fear this type of prank can cause homeowners, neighbors also said it could be potentially dangerous to the young people who participate.
“They accept these challenges they see kids doing, and it’s dangerous. They risk getting themselves in trouble. They never know whose door they will be knocking on or who’s going to retaliate,” Amy Pearson, a neighbor, said.
Pearson, who taught 6th grade for 32 years, said parents need to talk to their kids about the consequences of social media. Dill, who has a son going into 8th grade, agreed.
“Hopefully these parents can talk to their kids and explain to them how important it is because it could have turned out really badly if it were the wrong door,” Dill said.
“There are a lot of families now today who have a lot of guns all throughout their house,” she continued.
Law Enforcement Reminder
Investigator Bradshaw seconded that reminder. “This is a self-defense state, and it could easily be perceived as an attack and a hostile action,” Bradshaw said.
Dill’s son Fisher, 13, knows all too well the pressures of being online and has a message to any other teen wanting to try this troubling trend.
“I don’t think we should be doing this. I think we have a responsibility of doing a different challenge that’s [more fun] as a group instead of knocking on people’s doors,” Fisher said.
Seeking Information
If you have any information that could help police identify the young suspects, please reach out to Investigator Bradshaw at 864-610-6408 or bradshaw@trpolice.com.