A Green Township homeowner now faces multiple felony charges after opening fire on teenagers who kicked his front door during a prank, with bullets striking their vehicle and neighboring homes in a confrontation that reveals the dangerous escalation of what kids once considered harmless fun.
Armed Response to Doorstep Assault
Yarvis Godfrey, 33, confronted four juveniles with a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol equipped with a green laser after they banged on his front door Saturday night in what police called a ding-dong ditch prank. Officers recovered shell casings at Godfrey’s home in the 5000 block of Starvue Drive and discovered bullet holes in the teens’ black Kia Rio, plus two neighboring homes. A neighbor told local media that Godfrey had footprints on his door, suggesting the teenagers kicked rather than knocked.
The juveniles fled to a nearby cul-de-sac after the initial shooting, but Godfrey followed them in his vehicle to confront the group when police arrived on the scene. Court records indicate all four teenagers described seeing the green laser sight on the weapon before shots rang out. Despite multiple rounds being fired, no injuries were reported, though one bullet penetrated the trunk of the teens’ vehicle as they attempted to escape.
Felony Charges and Community Division
Prosecutors charged Godfrey with felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school safety zone, and two counts of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. Officers executed a search warrant and seized the semiautomatic pistol with green laser matching witness descriptions. The multiple charges reflect not only the shooting at the teenagers but also the rounds that struck neighboring properties, potentially endangering other residents.
Property Rights Versus Proportional Response
A neighbor defended Godfrey’s character, stating he is a good man who does not deserve the criminal charges and expressing concern for his family. The incident highlights the tension between property owners’ rights to defend their homes and the legal requirement for proportional response to perceived threats. While teenagers kicking doors constitutes criminal mischief and trespassing, prosecutors determined Godfrey’s armed pursuit and multiple shots fired exceeded lawful self-defense, particularly after the juveniles fled the scene.
I hope none of them do any of that again, probably be awhile before the shooter can.
Where is REAL justice? Is there any anymore? My mother told me years ago that JUSTICE WENT OUT WITH HIGH BUTTON SHOES (SO,THAT WAS A LONG LONG TIME AGO)… What type of punishment did the teens receive?????
This home owner feared for his life and the life of his family these kids were trespassing now tell me why the heck should the homeowner be facing any charges for these violators!!!!!! This is so backwards!
Sandy, I must agree that it must be most concerning or frightening when one’s door is violently kicked. However, Godfrey having opened the door and seeing someone running away, going after that person or persons with a gun and shooting to kill, I would say it is a gross over reaction. I think Mr. Godfrey should spend a few days in the poky to think things over.
Unfortunately, he will be charged and prosecuted, in our pro-criminal system. Potential jurors, vote to acquit ! Too bad his shots did not hit some of the perps. It might save lives, in the future.
Stop calling my comments scam please
I think Mr. Godfrey should be sentenced to several sessions of target practice.
Brilliant reply
The homeowner had every right to defend himself and his family. If he had a gun and these thugs got in and killed his family, he likely would be charged with doing nothing to protect his family. These thugs should be jailed and be required to ay all legal bills and lost wages of the poor homeowner they attacked.
I think all of them are at fault, the teenagers and the homeowner, but I don’t think jail time should be done by any of them, but some Community time should be done by all. But the homeowner should face a fine for shooting while outdoors. That’s where he went wrong.
I get it, but as a firearm owner it comes with a huge responsibility. But shooting through his front door and then chasing them. That was where he went wrong and became the aggressor. He’s very lucky he didn’t injure or kill someone. Now if they kicked in his door and entered his home then it would be a whole different story. Learning moment for all of us.
George Floyd is the black Jesus and now Renee good is the new George Floyd- so Renee good is the new black Jesus per joy Reid-yo to the bling.
Probably got lost of the charges for chasing after then and shooting. Good thing nobody got injured. Also, the kids should have been charged
anybody would do the same thing, except maybe others would have hit the CRIMINALS.