Police in Alexandria are investigating a frightening late-night incident after three masked individuals were caught on doorbell camera attempting to break into a widow’s home and threatening to kill her family, as reported by the New York Post.

The attempted break-in occurred around 10 p.m. Tuesday at a residence roughly eight miles from Washington, D.C., according to the homeowner’s daughter, identified only as Shayla. She told WUSA9 that at first, she thought the group was pulling a prank.

“At first I thought it was just a Halloween joke, a little prank,” Shayla said. “So I said, ‘Happy Halloween.’”

MORE NEWS: Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Terrorism Charges Against Antifa Extremists [WATCH]

But when the intruders refused to leave, Shayla warned them that she would call police. The threat did not deter them.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Do you think Jimmy Kimmel's apology about his comments about Charlie Kirk was sincere?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“They kept, like, knocking on the door,” she said. “The knocks would get harder and harder.”

Doorbell camera footage captured three masked figures — one dressed as Michael Myers from the Halloween movie franchise, another as a clown, and a third as a sinister-looking nun — pounding on the family’s door and shouting threats.

“It’s either you coming out or we coming in,” one of the suspects yelled. “Open the door!”

MORE NEWS: MTV’s Future is on the Line as Corporate Cost-Cutting Intensifies [WATCH]

According to Fox 5 DC, Shayla’s younger brother and the family dog were also inside the home during the ordeal. The trio reportedly moved around the property, breaking through a wooden fence, slashing deck screens, and pounding on windows while looking inside.

“They were just hitting the window,” Shayla said. “My heart dropped when they said they were gonna take a chair and break down the door. That is just too much.”

Shayla told WUSA9 that the masked suspects “threatened to kill us.” After approximately ten minutes, the individuals finally left, leaving the family shaken but unharmed.

“It’s not even a joke gone wrong. They tried to enter the home,” Shayla said. “My dad recently just died, so it’s like … I’m just glad I was there. But now she’s in fear. She doesn’t want to stay there by herself.”

Close

Shayla added, “Our Second Amendment right was not used — and could have been.”

The incident quickly spread across social media, with users comparing the footage to scenes from the 2013 thriller The Purge.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrik McGuire called the situation a “very serious matter.”

“They began to make threatening and alarming comments to the family … specifically, they said, ‘If you do not come out, we will come in,’ and also threatened to do bodily harm, stating that they would ultimately kill them,” McGuire said during a press conference Thursday.

MORE NEWS: Rep Hakeem Jeffries Launches Personal Attack on Karoline Leavitt, Calls Her ‘Sick’ and ‘Demented’ [WATCH]

McGuire confirmed that investigators are reviewing security footage from nearby homes and businesses to identify the suspects. He noted that the trio could face multiple charges, including burglary and criminal threats.

“They attempted to enter a residence, and under Virginia state law, that constitutes burglary,” McGuire said. “It’s a warning to people: Do not go up to people’s doors, make threats, advance their doorways, and play with their lives — because it can end very badly.”

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.