Masked trio who terrorized Virginia family was trying to pull a 'prank,' police say

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WDCW) – Police in Virginia say an incident in which is appeared that a group of people wearing Halloween masks terrorized a family during a burglary attempt was, in fact, a prank.

Police Chief Tarrick McGuire of the Alexandria Police Department provided the update at a news conference Monday morning, more than a week after the incident made headlines across the country.

At the news conference, the chief said emergency dispatchers received a call on Oct. 14 reporting a "suspicious event." Soon after, it was updated to a "burglary in progress."

The terrifying encounter was caught on the family’s Ring doorbell camera. The video shows the masked suspects pounding on the front door and making menacing gestures before trying to break in.

McGuire said his department made a "s