A North Carolina man has been arrested and now faces serious charges after allegedly firing at a young person engaged in a neighborhood prank known as “ding-dong ditch.” The unfortunate event unfolded in Statesville, North Carolina, drawing a swift response from local law enforcement.

The incident took place late on a Saturday evening, around 11:20 p.m., when deputies from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office heard gunshots echoing through a nearby neighborhood as they were conducting a routine traffic stop. This prompted an immediate investigation, as detailed in a statement released by the authorities.

Upon arriving at the scene on Absher Farm Loop, officers were alerted to a 911 call reporting a person with a gunshot wound on Castle Pines Lane, not far from their location. This led them to discover an unattended vehicle in the street. The vehicle had its doors ajar, alongside shattered glass and visible bullet holes, painting a grim picture of the night’s events. Nearby, a group of five juveniles was found in a field, possibly linked to the incident.

Craig Steven Mason has been charged with multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Craig Steven Mason is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. (Iredell County Sheriff’s Office)

One of the juveniles in the group had a gunshot wound to the leg, police said. 

As authorities conducted their initial investigation, they learned the group was traveling through the neighborhood when an unknown individual fired at their vehicle and struck the juvenile in the leg. 

While gathering additional evidence, including witness interviews and surveillance video, investigators were approached by Craig Steven Mason, who identified himself as the shooter, police said.

A juvenile was shot while partaking in a “ding-dong ditch prank” in a Statesville, North Carolina neighborhood – located approximately 40 miles from Charlotte – on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. (iStock)

Mason reportedly told investigators he was asleep inside his home when he was awoken by loud noises coming from a nearby residence, causing him to retrieve his handgun and go outside to investigate the cause of the sound. 

“Mason told detectives he observed a vehicle driving through the neighborhood with no headlights on, and he fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle as it passed,” the department said. 

The vehicle was subsequently struck four times, with one round striking the juvenile passenger in the leg.

Craig Steven Mason was issued no bond after allegedly shooting a juvenile partaking in a “ding-dong ditch” prank in his neighborhood in Statesville, North Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Google Maps)

Detectives later learned the group was reportedly partaking in a game of “ding-dong ditch” in the neighborhood, a common prank in which individuals ring doorbells before running away, but did not approach Mason’s home. 

On Monday, authorities arrested Mason on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. He was issued no bond as he awaits an appearance before a district court judge.

Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate an attorney representing Mason. 

As of Monday, the juvenile victim was in the hospital and still receiving medical treatment for their injuries. 

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment, citing an active investigation.