Woodlands Resident Nearly Shoots Teen in TikTok Door Kick Prank

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A resident in The Woodlands, Texas woke up to a loud bang on his apartment door late one night and grabbed his gun, believing someone was trying to break in. After reviewing his doorbell camera footage, he realized it was a group of teenagers participating in the dangerous "door kick" TikTok challenge. Police warn that these types of pranks can easily be mistaken for real break-ins and could lead to deadly consequences if a startled resident responds with force.

Why it matters

The "door kick" TikTok challenge has spread across the country, with police warning that it can trigger armed responses from frightened residents who mistake it for a real break-in. This incident highlights the real risks and potential for tragedy when teens engage in these types of pranks.

The details

The doorbell camera footage shows four teenagers kicking the resident's apartment door late at night. The resident, identified as Adrian Calagon, said he woke up to the loud bang, grabbed his gun, and was prepared to shoot before realizing it was a prank. Calagon reported the incident to the police and alerted his apartment management and local school leaders. Police say the "door kick" challenge can easily be mistaken for a real break-in, potentially leading to criminal charges for the participants and the possibility of a resident using force in self-defense.

• The incident occurred late Saturday night.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Police are urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of the "door kick" challenge and for residents to save any video evidence and report suspicious activity to authorities rather than confronting groups themselves.