Texas Man Shoots at Teens in Car After 'Ding Dong Ditch' Prank: Police By Madison E. Goldberg

A Texas man who fired shots at teenagers attempting a “ding-dong-ditch” prank at his house in July now faces three felony charges.

The incident took place on the evening of July 28 on Scottsdale Way, the Frisco Police Department said in a statement on Monday, Aug. 18. At around 10:50 p.m., Frisco police were dispatched to the location in response to a report from a person who said he fired shots at someone who attempted to kick down his door, police said.

During their investigation, police learned the suspect, Damon Wolfe, 58, left his home after hearing a loud bang on his door. He fired multiple rounds at a passing car because he thought the occupants were involved, police said.

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Later that evening, FPD responded to a call that a vehicle had been shot at. Police said the driver and two passengers first claimed that they were shot at while on a different street. After more interviews, the group admitted they were doing a “ding-dong-ditch” prank in a random neighborhood when a male with a firearm fired shots at their car, police said. Officers saw what looked like three bullet holes in the car.

The Frisco Police Department arrested Wolfe on Aug. 7 on three counts of aggravated assault, one count for each person in the vehicle. The charges carry a potential sentence between two and 20 years in prison, and a $10,000 fine, police said.

“What started out as a prank, ding dong ditching a house, turned into something that could of potentially had deadly consequences,” Frisco Police Chief David Shilson told CBS News Texas. “We found the vehicle later in the evening, shortly after the incident, the kids did not want to report it because certainly they were out doing these pranks, and I don’t think they realize the gravity of everything that had occurred.”

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The FPD chief is warning the parents of teenagers against the potential dangers associated with popular online challenges.

“The teens involved in this case are very fortunate they were not shot and killed or seriously injured. For homeowners, it is important to understand that there are legal and criminal consequences for running outside and shooting at a vehicle fleeing the scene,” Shilson said in a statement.

“The bullets fired in this offense could have easily struck neighbors’ houses and had deadly consequences,” Shilson continued. He went on to call the incident “completely senseless and avoidable.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the FPD for further information.