Teen shot by homeowner in ‘ding-dong-ditch’ prank gone wrong, sheriff says

HARRISON, Maine (WMTW) - A Maine man was arrested after he allegedly shot at a group of teenagers playing “ding-dong-ditch,” injuring one of them.

Deputies responded to Harrison around 1 a.m. Saturday after numerous reports of gunshots and screaming. Deputies arrived on scene to find blood on the roadway, as a teen walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound.

“Just happened to turn over in bed and saw the time, it was 1 a.m. Then, I heard a gunshot, and I know it’s not hunting season,” neighbor Corinne Martin said.

Authorities say a group of teens were playing a prank called “ding-dong-ditch” at several houses in the area. At the fourth house, the homeowner allegedly opened fire with a 9 mm handgun, firing about 14 rounds and hitting one of the teens in the leg.

The teen went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“In my mind, the kids should not have been doing what they were doing. However, the individual bringing a firearm and shooting at kids while they’re fleeing is obviously a problem, as well,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce.

Authorities identified the homeowner as 30-year-old Vincent Martin. He is facing multiple charges, including assault and reckless conduct with a firearm.

“People are construing the fact that they can defend their residence, their family, et cetera and maybe taking it a little over the limit in this particular case. We’re living in a world where it just seems like everybody is on edge,” Joyce said.

Although “ding-dong-ditch” is not illegal, the sheriff says there’s still a lesson to be learned here.

“This innocent prank needs to be put on a shelf somewhere and never visited again,” he said.

Martin’s bail was set at $5,000. A judge ordered him not to use or purchase firearms or ammunition and not to have any contact with the teens involved in the incident.