Doorbell Pranks Escalate to Violence and Criminal Charges in Utah

KSL Investigation finds incidents of doorbell ditching leading to assault, abuse, and even shooting incidents

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A KSL investigation has found that seemingly harmless doorbell pranks in Utah have escalated to violence and criminal charges in recent years. Several incidents across the state have involved homeowners confronting and even assaulting suspected pranksters, with one case leading to a man firing plastic rounds at teens. Law enforcement says these extreme reactions speak to a broader societal problem of confrontation and anger.

Why it matters

Doorbell ditching, also known as "ding-dong ditching", has long been considered a harmless prank. However, the KSL investigation reveals that these incidents can now lead to serious consequences, including assault, abuse, and even the use of firearms. This escalation raises concerns about public safety, the state of community relations, and how law enforcement should respond to these types of incidents.

The details

The KSL investigation found four incidents in the past two years in Utah where a doorbell prank led to criminal charges. In one case, a Salt Lake City man was charged with felony child abuse and kidnapping after confronting and assaulting a 12-year-old boy he believed was responsible for ringing his doorbell. In another incident in Utah County, a frustrated homeowner fired plastic rounds at a group of teens he thought were behind the pranks, leading to criminal charges. Law enforcement says these extreme reactions are likely due to people being "on edge and agitated and angry", as well as the pranks becoming more intense, with one doorbell camera capturing a suspected prankster holding what appears to be a handgun.

  • In August, a Salt Lake City resident was charged with felony child abuse and kidnapping after confronting a 12-year-old boy he believed was responsible for ringing his doorbell.
  • In 2024, an Eagle Mountain resident in Utah County fired plastic rounds at a group of teens he believed were behind repeated doorbell pranks at his home.
  • In June 2025, a 14-year-old boy in Riverton told police he was chased, caught and beaten after doorbell ditching at an apartment complex.

The players

Tony Bernstone

A Salt Lake City resident who was charged with felony child abuse and kidnapping after confronting a 12-year-old boy he believed was responsible for ringing his doorbell.

Michael Roberts

An Eagle Mountain resident in Utah County who faced criminal charges after firing plastic rounds at a group of teens he believed were behind repeated doorbell pranks at his home.

Marshall Aho

A man charged with aggravated child abuse after a 14-year-old boy reported being chased, caught and beaten following a doorbell ditching incident in Riverton.

Sgt. Greg Wilking

A Salt Lake City Police sergeant who says these extreme reactions to doorbell pranks speak to a "bigger problem in society where we have confrontation with people and we take things to the extreme."

Sgt. Ray Ormond

A sergeant with the Utah County Sheriff's Office who has handled similar cases of homeowners confronting suspected doorbell ditchers.

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What they’re saying

“It's a different world. On the face of it, it's a harmless prank. But it's what happens after and it's all the things that could happen.”

— Sgt. Greg Wilking, Salt Lake City Police Sergeant (KSL)

“It speaks to, I think, a bigger problem in society where we have confrontation with people and we take things to the extreme. People are really on edge and agitated and angry.”

— Sgt. Greg Wilking, Salt Lake City Police Sergeant (KSL)

“That's a situation that just didn't need to happen.”

— Sgt. Greg Wilking, Salt Lake City Police Sergeant (KSL)

What’s next

Law enforcement agencies in Utah are likely to increase monitoring and response to reports of doorbell ditching incidents in an effort to prevent further escalation to violence and criminal charges.

The takeaway

The escalation of seemingly harmless doorbell pranks to violent confrontations and criminal charges in Utah highlights a broader societal issue of anger, confrontation, and a willingness to take matters into one's own hands. This trend raises concerns about public safety and the need for better community relations and conflict resolution.