A North Carolina man is facing felony charges after allegedly shooting a juvenile who was playing a game of “ding-dong ditch” in his residential neighborhood. The incident took place in Statesville, North Carolina, on Saturday night when deputies heard gunshots in the area while conducting a traffic stop.
Authorities responded to the scene and found a group of juveniles in a field, one of whom had been shot in the leg. They also discovered a vehicle with bullet holes and broken glass nearby. The juveniles had been driving through the neighborhood when an unknown individual fired at their vehicle, injuring one of them.
During their investigation, detectives were approached by Craig Steven Mason, who admitted to being the shooter. Mason claimed that he had been awoken by loud noises from a nearby residence and went outside with his handgun to investigate. He saw a vehicle without headlights on and fired multiple rounds at it as it passed by, hitting the juvenile in the leg.
It was later revealed that the juveniles were playing “ding-dong ditch” in the neighborhood but had not approached Mason’s home. Mason was arrested on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to kill, and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury. He was denied bond and is awaiting a court appearance.
The juvenile victim is currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries, while the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation. An attorney for Mason could not be immediately located for comment.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of using firearms in response to perceived threats or disturbances. It is important for individuals to handle such situations with caution and to contact law enforcement rather than taking matters into their own hands.
