Sheriff Warns Doing TikTok 'Door Kick Challenge' in Wyoming Can Get You Killed
8 hours ago
- #Wyoming
- #TikTok Challenge
- #Self-Defense Laws
- The 'TikTok Door Kick Challenge' involves forcefully kicking and banging on homeowners' doors while being recorded, sometimes while wearing ski masks or carrying airsoft guns.
- Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken warns against participating in this challenge, citing serious or deadly repercussions, especially in Wyoming due to its strong self-defense laws.
- Wyoming's 'Stand Your Ground' law, co-sponsored by former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, allows individuals to use deadly force without retreating if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger.
- Bouchard highlights the risks of such pranks, as homeowners may react violently, especially if they feel threatened or have prior trauma.
- The 2018 Wyoming Supreme Court case State v. Jason John set a precedent for self-defense immunity, where defendants can argue self-defense in pre-trial hearings.
- In such hearings, if a defendant meets the initial burden of proof for self-defense, the prosecutor must then prove otherwise under a higher standard to proceed to trial.