{"id":60990,"date":"2025-11-26T02:15:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T02:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/60990\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T02:15:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T02:15:08","slug":"st-johns-county-deputies-give-stern-warning-arrest-3-teens-involved-in-door-kicking-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/60990\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Johns County deputies give stern warning, arrest 3 teens involved in door-kicking challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 The St. Johns County Sheriff\u2019s Office has administered a stern warning following the arrest of three teenagers <\/a>who were participating in a \u201cdoor-kick challenge\u201d that has been circulating on social media. <\/p>\n

The challenge involves a teen running up to the door of a home and aggressively kicking it multiple times before running away, similar to the prank known as \u201cding-dong-ditch,\u201d where someone rings a doorbell and runs away before the home\u2019s occupant can open the door. <\/p>\n

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On November 23, 2025, deputies responded to a possible burglary in progress at a home on Sweetbrier Branch Lane in St. Johns. The complainants called SJSO to report someone was \u2018attempting to kick their door in.\u2019\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WByANafXli<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (@TeamSJSO) November 26, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

In a video posted to social media by SJSO, viewers can see one of the two teens who was arrested kicking someone\u2019s door repeatedly as the home\u2019s occupant calls 911 to report someone \u201ctrying to kick in our front door.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: \u2018Likely to get shot and killed\u2019: Officials give stark warning after videos capture kids trying to kick down doors<\/a> | \u2018I\u2019m scared to even be home alone\u2019: Clay County couple shaken up after someone kicked in their door and took off<\/a><\/p>\n

It is later revealed in the video by the person who called 911 that her husband was going to \u201copen the door with [a] gun\u201d in order to assess the potential threat. <\/p>\n

She added that her husband \u201chas his weapon in his hand\u201d in case the threat returns. <\/p>\n

Later in the video, deputies locate the teens, ages 13 and 14, hiding behind an electrical box near homes on Sweetbrier Branch Lane, adding that the teens were dressed in dark clothing and gloves. <\/p>\n

Upon finding them, deputies placed them in the back of a police vehicle and began informing them of the severity of their actions. <\/p>\n

One of the deputies can be heard asking the teens, \u201cWho wants to catch a felony today?\u201d He also reminds them that if their actions led to them getting shot, the homeowners would be justified in doing so. <\/p>\n

SJSO also said the video should serve as a warning to anyone attempting to participate in the prank. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis \u2018challenge\u2019 is not a harmless prank. As you heard in the audio, the complainants were armed, waiting at the front door to shoot the possible intruder,\u201c the agency said. \u201dParticipating in this criminal act has serious and possibly life-changing consequences. <\/p>\n

Similar challenges like this have led to teens being shot before in Northeast Florida. <\/p>\n

In February, a high school football player was shot in the arm by an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement<\/a> while playing \u201cSenior Assassin,\u201c a game that involves groups using water guns to \u201cshoot each other\u201d until the last man or team is left standing.<\/p>\n

And later in the month, in Fernandina Beach,<\/a> the police department asked for the community\u2019s help in identifying someone who was caught on a Ring camera attempting to kick the door of a home before running away. <\/p>\n

The video prompted Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters to remind kids of the consequences that could follow something like that. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you kick in someone\u2019s door, you are likely to get shot and killed,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s just the facts. So don\u2019t. Second, if we find out that you are doing it, we are going to come and arrest you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teens in the video posted by SJSO were arrested for loitering and prowling, with one also being charged with criminal mischief. <\/p>\n

Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n