SEE IT: Door-kicking pranksters target California homes as police warn trend can end badly
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Freedom Is Back In Style
A viral social media challenge that sends people running up to strangers' homes and kicking their front doors is making the rounds again, prompting California police to warn the stunt can lead to more than property damage.
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The Irvine Police Department released surveillance videos on social media showing people taking part in the "Door Kick Challenge," which involves kicking someone's front door as hard as possible, recording it and running away before anyone answers.
"This isn't a prank. It's vandalism, and it can end badly," the department said.
The videos show groups approaching homes before running away. In one clip, a group of boys gathers outside a front door as one repeatedly knocks. As they run away, one of the boys turns and kicks the door.
The department warned that the challenge could leave behind damaged property and frightened homeowners while creating the risk of a dangerous confrontation.
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"A damaged door, a scared homeowner, a dangerous confrontation, criminal charges or someone getting seriously hurt can all be part of the outcome," the department said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Irvine Police Department for additional details.
Irvine police have received more than 20 calls in the past month involving people kicking doors or residents reporting their homes had been targeted, Officer Ziggy Azarcon told KABC. Some incidents caused enough damage for officers to take vandalism reports.
The warning comes less than a week after a similar door-knocking prank ended in gunfire in Boise, Idaho.
A group of boys had been playing "ding-dong ditch" at a home Nov. 7 when they returned to the property and the resident chased them and opened fire, Boise police said. A 15-year-old boy was struck and suffered injuries initially considered serious or critical, though they were not believed to be life-threatening.
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Police arrested 45-year-old Darin Young on a felony aggravated battery charge.
A similar prank turned deadly in Houston last year.
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Eleven-year-old Julian Guzman and his cousin had repeatedly knocked on a man's door and ran away while playing "ding-dong ditch" after a family birthday, FOX 26 Houston reported.
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Investigators said Gonzalo Leon Jr. eventually came from behind a gate and fired two shots, one into the ground and another that struck Guzman.
The boy was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died the following day.
Leon was later indicted on a capital murder charge in Guzman's death. A judge set his bond at $1.5 million in May.
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While the shootings in Boise and Houston involved "ding-dong ditch," they show how quickly a prank at a stranger's home can escalate.
Irvine police urged parents to talk with their children about the risks and consequences of participating in the challenge.
"What might get a few laughs or likes online can have very real consequences offline," the department said.
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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