A terrifying incident unfolded in Virginia when a trio of individuals wearing Halloween masks targeted a widow, as disturbing doorbell camera footage revealed their attempts to break into her home while making violent threats towards the inhabitants.
The suspects arrived at the residence in Alexandria, located about eight miles from Washington, DC, around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, as reported by the homeowner’s daughter, Shayla, in a piece by WUSA9.
“Initially, I thought it was just a Halloween prank,” Shayla shared. “So, I greeted them with, ‘Happy Halloween.’”
However, when the masked individuals showed no signs of leaving, she informed them that she would call the police — a warning that did nothing to deter them.
“They kept knocking on the door, with the knocks getting louder and more aggressive,” she recounted.
The family’s doorbell camera documented the scene, capturing one figure dressed as Michael Myers, another as a clown, and a third resembling a menacing nun, as they pounded on the door and demanded entrance.
“Either you come out, or we will come in! Open the door!” one of the assailants yelled.
Fox 5 reported that Shayla’s younger brother and their family dog were also at home during the horrifying ordeal.
The intruders made threatening gestures and proceeded to the back of the house.
They broke through a wooden fence, ripped through deck screens, and pounded on the windows while peering inside.
“They were relentlessly hitting the windows,” Shayla stated. “My heart sank when they announced they were going to grab a chair and break down the door. That was just too much to handle.”
Shayla insisted that the masked individuals “threatened to kill us.” After terrorizing the family for about ten minutes, they finally departed, leaving Shayla and her widowed mother deeply shaken.
“This isn’t a harmless prank gone wrong. They actively tried to invade our home,” she remarked. “My dad just recently passed away, so it’s especially distressing. I’m thankful I was there, but now she’s afraid and doesn’t want to be alone anymore.”
Shayla also reflected on how differently the situation could have unfolded.
“Our Second Amendment right wasn’t exercised — and it could have been,” she commented to the media.
On social media, many users remarked how the terrifying incident closely resembled scenes from the 2013 film “The Purge.”
“It was literally like The Purge,” a commenter noted on X.
“They’re fortunate they didn’t get shot,” another user pointed out.
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“These criminals are becoming increasingly bold, and are inviting deadly repercussions. THIS IS NOT A JOKE — people are on edge, and they’re risking their lives,” another commenter added.
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrik McGuire classified the situation as a “very serious matter.”
“They began making threatening and alarming remarks to the family… specifically declaring, ‘If you do not come out, we will come in,’ along with threats of bodily harm including claims that they would ultimately kill them,” McGuire stated during a press conference on Thursday.
He noted that investigators are currently reviewing additional surveillance footage from surrounding homes and businesses to identify the suspects involved.
McGuire indicated that the trio may face charges including burglary and criminal threats, echoing Shayla’s caution about citizens’ rights.
“They attempted to invade a residence, and per Virginia state law, that constitutes burglary,” he explained. “Consider this a warning: do not approach people’s homes, make threats, invade their doorways, and play with their lives — it could end very poorly for you.”

