Shocking details revealed about terrifying doorbell prank that took twisted turn
The masked trio who left a US woman terrified after turning up on her mother's doorstep and shouting threats have been identified by police.
Cops in Alexandria, Virginia, have been investigating what they initially believed was an attempted burglary for the last two weeks.
The entire country was left on tenterhooks after footage of three people dolled up in seriously spooky attire while terrorising Shayla Whiteside's mother's home went viral.
While introducing themselves as 'your worst nightmare', the trio made a series of chilling comments and tauntingly told the homeowner to 'open the door', while one added: "It's either you come out or we coming in."
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Another even menacingly made a slashing motion across their neck.
Footage of the more than 10-minute ordeal, which took place on 14 October, was captured by a Ring doorbell camera and Shayla promptly contacted the police while cowering inside with her mother.
Take a look at this:
Shayla previously explained that she suspected it was 'just a Halloween joke', but grew increasingly concerned when the trio 'kept knocking on the door' and 'threatened to kill us'.
"It's not even a joke gone wrong," she told WUSA9. "They tried to enter into the home. Like, my heart dropped when they said that they were going to take a chair and break down the door. That is just too much."
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire warned the trio that officers were 'actively searching' for them, while warning: "I want to be very clear. This is a very serious matter."
The top cop has now issued on an update on the case after the force 'dedicated more than 100 investigative hours' to unmask those involved.
Shockingly, it has now been revealed that the alleged burglars were in fact three teenagers - aged between 14 and 16 - who are related to the victims.
In a statement explaining the bizarre development, McGuire said: "The incident, captured on the family's doorbell camera, gained national attention after it was initially reported as an attempted burglary.
"Officers were dispatched and arrived within two minutes of the 9-1-1 call, which was first reported as a suspicious event and later upgraded to a burglary in progress.
"Through the course of interviews, detectives learned that the victim first contacted her brother before calling the police.
"A significant break in the case came after the department's first press conference, when multiple community tips led investigators to the suspects, three juveniles, ages 14 to 16, who were related to the victim.
"An adult female confessed that she, her two sons, and her nephew were responsible for approaching the home while wearing Halloween masks. Two additional adults were in the street filming the incident."
So, it turns out it was a family affair - and the trio's Halloween prank on their relatives seriously backfired.
The homeowner has decided not to pursue criminal charges, so those behind the spooky stunt will not be publicly identified.
Still, the police chief has urged others not to take part in any similar sorts of mischief over the scary season, as McGuire told reporters: "While this case may not result in prosecution, it represents a serious moral failure.
"Pranks of this nature are not taken lightly. Actions like these could have deadly consequences.
"From a human perspective, while this was very challenging, we also have to ask: 'Does this individual desire to prosecute against their family?'
"And I think that they decided not to, and we have to work through that. We have to try to respect that decision."
It seems like we'd all be better off sticking to treats rather than tricks this year, folks.
Olivia Burke