A 40-year-old man in Missouri shot at four kids who knocked at his door while playing "ding-dong ditch," and chased them down in a vehicle before ordering them out of their car at gunpoint and stealing their car keys.

Rankin, Already Under Lifetime GPS Monitoring, Faces Multiple Serious Charges

A Springfield, Missouri man has been arrested after allegedly shooting at a group of children and robbing them at gunpoint during a prank game of "ding-dong ditch." Melvin Rankin, 40, who was already under lifetime GPS monitoring for a prior conviction, is now facing charges including unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and robbery following a terrifying encounter on Sunday evening.

Melvin Rankin (Missouri State Highway Patrol).
Melvin Rankin (Missouri State Highway Patrol).
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Prank Takes a Dangerous Turn: Shots Fired at Kids

According to police, Rankin was inside his home when a group of four kids—who had just eaten at a local IHOP—decided to prank his house by playing "ding-dong ditch" in the neighborhood. After ringing Rankin’s doorbell, the group saw him peeking out of a window. Upon ringing the doorbell again, the garage door opened, and they heard a gunshot from inside, police said. Terrified, the children fled the scene in their vehicle, but Rankin pursued them in his white Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Gunpoint Confrontation and Car Theft

The chase ended when the victims reached a dead-end road, where Rankin pulled up beside them. He allegedly pointed a sawed-off shotgun at the group and ordered them out of their car. Rankin reportedly forced the children to lie face down on the ground, at one point allegedly pressing the gun to the back of one victim’s head while demanding to know who had sent them and where their gun was. The victims, shaken and scared, apologized for the prank.
Rankin then allegedly demanded the children’s car keys, which he took before speeding away in his Jeep, leaving the kids stranded.

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Getty Images
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Rankin was Arrested with a Troubling Criminal Background

Police quickly located Rankin, pulling him over while he was driving his Jeep. During a search of his residence, they discovered a single-shot, 20-gauge shotgun wrapped in a towel inside his garage. The shotgun’s stock was reportedly homemade, designed for hand-held use.

Rankin, a registered sex offender, has a history of failing to report his status and missing court appearances. He also has prior convictions for breaking and entering, possession of a controlled substance, and driving with a revoked license. Rankin is known to be affiliated with the Crips gang, as evidenced by tattoos on his forearms.

Rankin is currently being held at the Greene County Jail, with a bond review hearing scheduled for Tuesday. He faces charges including unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and robbery.

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