Nine teenagers were charged after a string of September vandalism incidents at Mt. Juliet homes that police said were tied to "prank wars" involving high school students.
The Mt. Juliet Police Department responded to 13 reports of reckless driving, trespassing, property damage and other offenses.
One 17-year-old is charged with vandalism and disorderly conduct after police responded to Halifax Court.
Seven 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old are charged with disorderly conduct and vandalism for damage on North Cromwell Court.
Mt. Juliet police officials had three active criminal vandalism investigations believed to be related to the "prank wars," in which victims have chosen to pursue prosecution. One more case continues to be investigated, Mt. Juliet Police
Chief Tyler Chandler said.
Reports from the community have included:
- Reckless vehicle chases through neighborhoods, without headlights.
- Running across roadways and through private property while wearing ski masks and dark clothing.
- Shooting paintballs at vehicles and causing dents.
- Placing liquids on homes that have caused staining.
- Damaging landscaping and decorations.
- Breaking windows.
"Junior/Senior Prank Wars” are something we are seeing as a broader, national trend among high school students, often around homecoming or other major school events," Chandler said. "Traditionally, it may have involved relatively harmless pranks between juniors and seniors, but social media has really changed the scale of it."
But social media school-prank posts have created "a competitive element where participants feel pressure to outdo the last prank and then post it for others to see," Chandler said.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 9 teens charged after Mt. Juliet high school 'prank war' causes damage
