ST. JOHNS, Fla. (WFLA) — In an unsettling incident that reflects a growing online phenomenon, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office apprehended three teenagers on November 23. The arrests came in the wake of the teens’ involvement in a viral social media stunt known as the “door kick challenge.”

This particular challenge encourages participants to sprint up to the front doors of unsuspecting homes, deliver a forceful kick, and then flee before the residents have a chance to respond. While seemingly harmless to some, the trend has raised significant concerns for homeowners and law enforcement alike.

The chain of events leading to the arrests began when a homeowner on Sweetbrier Branch Lane urgently contacted the sheriff’s office, suspecting an attempted burglary. The resident reported that someone was aggressively trying to break through their door, prompting alarm and a call for help.

In a tense moment, the resident revealed that her husband was armed as a precautionary measure, ready to defend their home if necessary. The situation underscored the potential dangers such pranks pose, not only to those engaged in the challenge but to innocent homeowners as well.

Upon arrival, deputies quickly scoured the area and discovered three teenagers dressed in dark attire, complete with gloves, concealing themselves near the targeted residence. Their apprehension serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can arise from seemingly trivial social media trends.

According to SJSO, the teenagers went to multiple homes in the neighborhood, causing damage to the front door of one of the homes.

Deputies arrested the teenagers on suspicion of loitering and prowling. One teenager was charged with criminal mischief because of the damage to the front door, SJSO said.

“This ‘challenge’ is not a harmless prank,” the sheriff’s office said. “As you heard in the audio, the complainants were armed, waiting at the front door to shoot the possible intruder. Participating in this criminal act has serious and possibly life-changing consequences.”