Statesboro family traumatized after teens’ prank mistaken for home invasion

BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A weekend prank turned traumatic for a Statesboro family who believed they were about to fall victim to a home invasion.

Late Saturday night, two teens approached a Statesboro house with a plan to knock on the door and run away. Inside the home, a different scene unraveled.

What began as a normal night at home quickly escalated. Outside, two teens banged on the door as a prank. Inside, the Vincent family believed they were about to fall victim to a home invasion.

Christina Vincent’s son jumped into action with his gun drawn, ready to protect his family.

While the incident was just a prank, Christina Vincent says the trauma is real.

“Our bodies are not telling us it was a prank, we are kind of in flight or fight mode, and we are just so sick, we haven’t been able to eat or sleep, and I don’t know when the terror will end,” Vincent said.

In the past four days, Vincent has not been able to calm her nerves. The family does not know if their home will ever feel the same.

“We are talking about selling. We thought this was our forever home, we wanted it to be our forever home, but I don’t know. Will I feel safe?” Vincent said.

Vincent says she is an assault survivor, her husband has suffered heart complications, and her son recently returned from deployment. She says you never know what has gone on in a person’s life.

“No one knows what goes on behind closed doors when you pull a prank,” Vincent said.

In 2025, an 11-year-old was fatally shot after pulling a similar prank in Texas. Vincent says she is grateful both her family and the teens were unharmed, but says it is an important lesson.

“I don’t want anyone’s child to be shot or hurt in any type of way from pulling just a prank,” Vincent said.

With summer break beginning, Vincent wants parents to sit down with their kids and make sure they know how quickly a harmless prank can escalate.