North Carolina Man Charged in Shooting Incident
A man in North Carolina faces felony charges after allegedly shooting a boy who was playing “ding dong ditch” in a residential area, according to police reports.
The event unfolded around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday in Statesville, where officers from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office heard gunfire while conducting a traffic stop. Upon arriving at Abshire Farm Loop to investigate the noise, authorities received a 911 call about an individual with a gunshot wound on Castle Pines Lane.
When police arrived, they discovered an abandoned vehicle parked on the road. The car had an open door, broken glass on the ground, and visible bullet holes. Nearby, they found a group of five juveniles in a field, one of whom had been shot in the leg.
An initial investigation indicated that the group was driving through the neighborhood when shots were fired at their car, injuring one boy.
As officers collected more evidence, including witness statements and surveillance footage, Craig Steven Mason contacted investigators and claimed responsibility for the shooting.
Mason reported that he had been asleep at home when he was awakened by a loud sound from a nearby house. He retrieved his handgun and went outside to assess the situation. He stated that he noticed a vehicle driving without headlights and fired several shots at it.
The car was struck four times, with one bullet hitting a passenger in the leg.
Detectives later determined that the boys had been engaged in a game of “Ding Dong Ditch,” a prank where individuals ring doorbells and flee, although they didn’t approach Mason’s residence.
On Monday, law enforcement arrested Mason on several charges: felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony discharging a deadly weapon into an occupied vehicle, resulting in serious injury. He remains in custody without bail, awaiting a court appearance.
The juvenile victim is still hospitalized as of Monday, receiving treatment for his injuries. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has not commented on the situation, citing the ongoing investigation.
