Last week, a video went viral showing three masked men banging on a family’s door in Alexandria, Virginia, with claims that they broke in and held the family hostage for 12 minutes. The video rightfully sparked concern both online and in the local community.

But after what Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick said took “100 hours” of extensive investigation, police determined the entire video was staged. McGuire, with all the egg on his face, called the video a “serious moral failure.”

A woman identified as Shayla by TMZ, who was allegedly inside the home during the “incident,” told a local news outlet that she believed the masked trio were just playing a prank, claiming she warned them not to return because she had called the police. However, there is no report that Shayla actually called the police, as you know, she was in on the prank.

File this one under Fake Clowns 2.0. 

NEW: Group in Halloween masks tries to break into a home and threatens the homeowners

The group terrorized the family for over 12 minutes before the police arrived

The suspects told the family, “If you do not come out, we will come in,” and threatened to k*ll them

The… pic.twitter.com/6X6fbl4oqp

— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) October 16, 2025