TikTok’s challenge leaves residents with repair bills

TYLER — A Tyler homeowner is stuck with a $5,000 repair bill after a viral TikTok “Door?Kick Challenge” left her garage door damaged by a stranger caught on camera.

Mishae Boren, a resident of Tyler, recounts a frightening experience when her daughter heard a loud bang as individuals struck the garage doors. The noise resembled thunder and caused the part of the house where her room is located to shake. When she and her husband ventured outside, the culprits had already left. In the darkness, they were unable to assess the damage, and it wasn’t until the following morning that they discovered the garage doors weren’t functioning properly. It was then that they reviewed their security footage to see what had happened.

Reports of this challenge have been circulating since 2021; the trend encourages individuals to kick and pound on doors, imitating a home invasion. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are advising against participation, highlighting the risks of injury as homeowners may defend themselves.

“These appear to be teenagers who made a poor decision,” Boren said. “Garage doors can be repaired and replaced, but there could have been serious consequences, such as injury or death, if we or anyone else that they targeted had exercised the right to protect our home.”

Boren was provided with an estimate indicating that replacing her garage doors would exceed $5,000.

Another resident took to Facebook after this happened to him as well, where three individuals can be seen body slamming and kicking his garage door. Daniel Elbert said he heard two loud bangs near his property and believed the sounds were coming from his backyard, but once he inspected the area, nothing was found.

It was later determined that his garage doors, situated close to the street, were targeted in what appears to be a prank. He believes the perpetrators were likely choosing doors near the street for a quick getaway. While the resident has been given a case number, he remains hopeful for further action on the case.

Elbert estimates that it will cost more than $3,000 to replace his garage doors.

Both parties have submitted police reports. KETK News contacted the Tyler Police Department, which confirmed it’s aware of two cases.