ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Scripps News Richmond) — Three masked intruders who terrorized an Alexandria family earlier this month, banging on their door and threatening to break in, have been identified as the family’s own cousins in what police are calling a “horrific prank.”
These images provided by Alexandria Police show three masked suspects accused in an attempted home burglary on Oct. 14, 2025. (Alexandria Police)
Surveillance video from the incident shows the masked individuals at the family’s door, making threats to break in and harm those inside. The terrifying scene prompted the woman inside to call her brother, who arrived at the scene armed with a gun.
Police say the masked intruders were actually the family’s cousins from Fairfax County.
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said the prank could have resulted in tragedy. “While this incident may not result in a criminal prosecution, for me, my team, and for this community, it represents a moral failure,” McGuire said. “A moral failure where consequences could result in deadly consequences. I want to specify this because we have seen this type of behavior around the country, where people have done pranks and they have resulted in people being seriously injured or losing their lives.”
The family has chosen not to press charges against their relatives.
This story was originally published by Scripps News Richmond, an E.W. Scripps Company.
