KATY, Texas – A dangerous trend that is growing in popularity has hit a Houston area suburb.
The trend is called the “door kick challenge.”
It’s similar to the old “ding-dong-ditch” game many have played as kids.
But to homeowners who have experienced the door-kick challenge, especially late at night, it is not funny and extremely dangerous.
A homeowner in Katy said it was late at night when his dogs started barking loudly, and he realized something was wrong.
In the surveillance video, you can see who looks to be a teenager running up to the door and kicking it open. The teen is then seen taking off.
“I pulled it up on my phone, the doorbell camera, and I noticed the door was open, and I made sure I knew where everyone in my family was, and made sure there wasn’t anyone in our house,” said Katy homeowner Andre Hays. “Once I watched the video, I realized that it looked like a teenager kicked it and ran away immediately. There’s a lock here and a lock on top and bottom, and it just popped them both out, and it opened it up. I realized what it was right away once I watched the video, but obviously coming down the stairs with two young children and seeing your door just opened, it’s very unnerving.”
The homeowner said he understands kids want to have fun and play pranks, but it’s extremely dangerous. He said if he were armed, he would have used his weapon to defend his family.
Hays said he also owns an 80-pound dog, so this teenager could have gotten hurt.
Experts say there has been a rise in this type of behavior, mainly because of a TikTok challenge. Crimestoppers advised parents to talk to their children because the challenge is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injuries.
Hays said the damage to his home cost nearly $1,000. He said he also had to install more security cameras throughout his property.
As for the teen seen on the video, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on the teen’s identity to contact them.
