Parents in Davie, Florida, are demanding the arrest of a homeowner who allegedly shot their 16-year-old son on Halloween night during a prank. The teenager was reportedly participating in a 'doorbell ditching' game with friends, which involved kicking a neighbor's door and running away, when the homeowner pursued and fired two gunshots, striking the boy in the arm.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. in the Shenandoah area, approximately 32 miles north of Miami. The teen, whose identity has not been released by authorities, underwent significant surgery to address his injuries. His mother expressed outrage, questioning why the shooter had not been apprehended.
"They need to find this guy, and they know who they are," she told NBC6 South Florida. "They know. So why he's not being arrested?"
The teen's stepfather emphasized that the homeowner's actions were excessive and irresponsible, particularly given the presence of other children in the neighborhood on Halloween. "To come out with a gun and start shooting on Halloween night, with all kinds of kids all over the place, to just start opening fire [and] pop off two rounds," he said. "How irresponsible is that?"
He suggested that the homeowner should have contacted law enforcement rather than resorting to violence. "That's what you do," he told NBC 6.
The Davie Police Department confirmed that the shooting is under active investigation and stated that the teen is in stable condition. The department has not released the homeowner's name, and no arrests have been made.
The family has retained an attorney, who has been informed that Davie police have forwarded the case to the Broward State Attorney's office for review. This office will determine if any criminal charges are warranted.
The shooting took place in the vicinity of Southwest 20th Street, where a significant police presence was observed following the incident. Crime scene tape was used to cordon off the area. Images from the hospital showed the teen with a bloody wound on his arm.