Police: Masked people who threatened Virginia family were relatives playing 'horrific prank'

Surveillance video from the incident shows the masked individuals at the family's door, making threats to break in and harm those inside. The terrifying scene prompted the woman inside to call her brother, who arrived at the scene armed with a gun.

Police say the masked intruders were actually the family's cousins from Fairfax County.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said the prank could have resulted in tragedy.

"While this incident may not result in a criminal prosecution, for me, my team, and for this community, it represents a moral failure," McGuire said. "A moral failure where consequences could result in deadly consequences. I want to specify this because we have saw this type behavior around the country, where people have done pranks and they have resulted in people being