A Springfield man has been arrested after an incident involving a group of kids playing a game commonly known as “ding dong ditch” took a dangerous turn. The event unfolded in the Edgewood Street neighborhood and ended with shots fired and serious charges.
Melvin Rankin now faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and robbery. According to investigators, the trouble began when a group rang Rankin’s doorbell as part of the game, which involves knocking or ringing a doorbell and running away before anyone answers.
The group reportedly rang Rankin’s doorbell twice. On the second occasion, things escalated quickly. Police say Rankin fired shots from his driveway at the group, causing panic. The situation didn’t stop there. Rankin allegedly followed the group down the road to a dead-end street. Investigators say that’s when things became even more intense—Rankin threatened the group with a gun while they were on the ground. To make matters worse, he reportedly took their keys before leaving the scene.
Fortunately, no one was physically hurt during the incident, but the actions left the community rattled. Local authorities are continuing their investigation and urge everyone to think twice before reacting in such a dangerous way to pranks or unexpected visitors.
This shocking turn of events has sparked conversations in the neighborhood about safety, how people respond to pranks, and the importance of staying calm in tense situations.
