A 32-year-old man was taken into custody on Wednesday in Country Walk, located in southwest Miami-Dade, after allegedly using a pistol to strike a minor involved in a ding dong ditch prank, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
The event transpired on October 22 around 7:35 p.m. as a group of children roamed a neighborhood on the 16000 block of Southwest 142nd Terrace, ringing doorbells and running away for fun.
After the kids had rung about four doorbells, Juan Francisco Carranza arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz, exited the vehicle, and brandished a firearm.
As per the arrest report, Carranza aimed the gun near the faces of two of the youngsters, demanding to know which one was the oldest. When they didn't respond, he struck one in the left ear with the butt of the gun, resulting in a cut that needed several stitches.
The second child corroborated the victim's account to investigators.
Carranza was apprehended without incident on Wednesday night as he was leaving his home in the Southwest 161st Place area. During questioning, he partially admitted to the incident but refused to discuss whether he had a weapon unless his attorney was present.
Authorities charged him with aggravated child abuse causing serious bodily injury—a first-degree felony in Florida—and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. A judge found probable cause and set bail between $10,000 and $15,000, according to multiple sources. Carranza is currently held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a no-contact order against the victims.
The aggravated child abuse charge could lead to a prison sentence of up to 30 years under Florida law. The aggravated assault with a firearm charges could invoke the state's 10-20-Life law, which mandates minimum sentences of ten years if a gun is carried during a felony.
This case highlights that Florida's Stand Your Ground law does not justify such a reaction: the law only permits lethal force if there is a reasonable belief of imminent death or serious injury, a standard not met by a child's prank.
A similar incident occurred in October 2025, when a Boca Raton man was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm after confronting a 14-year-old engaged in a ding dong ditch prank.
The incident occurred just two days before Halloween in Country Walk, a planned community in southwest Miami-Dade with one of the highest concentrations of Cuban residents in the county—ranging from 38% to 48% according to various estimates—where children often trick-or-treat in groups.
Recently, the Kendall area has seen other violent incidents, raising concern among residents.
The authorities have not disclosed the identity or exact age of the injured child, and Carranza's background has not been detailed in official reports.
Legal Consequences and Community Impact of the Incident
What are the potential legal consequences for Carranza?
Carranza faces up to 30 years in prison for aggravated child abuse and could also be subject to Florida's 10-20-Life law for the firearm charges, which mandates minimum sentences if a gun is used during a felony.
Does Florida's Stand Your Ground law apply in this situation?
No, Florida's Stand Your Ground law does not apply because it only allows for the use of lethal force when there is a reasonable fear of imminent death or serious injury, which was not present during the prank.