The father of a man charged in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old who friends say was playing a ding dong ditch prank to post on TikTok says he believes the victim was trying to break into his home and his son opened fire in fear for his life.
About 3 a.m. May 3, three teenagers were on a family’s property when Tyler Chase Butler, who lives there with his parents, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Bosworth Jr., the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said.
The teens told deputies they were playing ding dong ditch and recording video to post on social media.
Butler is charged with murder, but his father says his son should have never been charged for the shooting.
“This was not a ding dong ditch game,” Jeffrey Butler said. “They were coming to break into my house.”
He wasn’t home at the time but says his wife and son were sleeping when they heard loud banging – possibly on the garage door or another part of the home.
A deputy went to the home to check it out, but shortly after the deputy left, the banging started again, Butler said.
He said the teens were wearing masks in fenced-in backyard.
“My son went out on the porch,” Butler said. “The three individuals came out of my side gate, and when they came out of my side gate, he confronted them and said, ‘What are y’all trying to break into my house?’” Butler said.
He said his son feared for his life and his mother’s life.
“They were covered; they had their faces covered,” Butler said. “One of them had a chest pack on. He appeared to be reaching for something, and at that point, I believe, that’s when everything took place.”
Bosworth was shot and killed. The other two teens with Bosworth Jr. were charged with trespassing.
In Spotsylvania County court Monday, Butler’s defense attorney told a judge they believe there’s evidence that hasn’t been turned over that is significant in this case – specifically asking prosecutors to turn over any information that the teens were in possession of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol and face masks.
Prosecutors told the judge they would turn over any evidence they have before a possible trial.
Butler acknowledges the pain the Bosworth family is feeling but says his son was only protecting his family.
“I believe that anyone in the same situation would have reacted the same way,” he said.
Tyler Butler returns to court for a preliminary hearing later this month.
The two teens charged with trespassing are scheduled to return to court on those charges in November.
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