Video: Trio in scary costumes attempt to break into home

(NewsNation) — Authorities are investigating an attempted burglary involving three people dressed in Halloween costumes at a home in Virginia earlier this week.

In clips that have gone viral, three people in full-body Halloween costumes and masks are seen on Ring surveillance footage pounding on the door and windows of an Alexandria house, trying to break in and making threatening statements around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday night.

One of the people home at the time, Shayla Whiteside, who was visiting her recently widowed mother, told local outlet WUSA that she initially thought the ordeal was a Halloween prank.

But the pounding and threats continued even after she told the trio that the police were on their way.

"It's either you coming out or we coming in," one voice can be heard saying threateningly in the video.

2nd Amendment right 'could have been used'

"Our Second Amendment right was not used and could have been," Whiteside told WUSA.

Former FBI special agent and NewsNation law and justice contributor Jennifer Coffindaffer told "NewsNation Prime" she agrees with Whiteside's assessment. Because the costumed trio attempted to breach the property, if the family had shot at them, "it would be 'standing your ground' self-defense," she said.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrik McGuire echoed the sentiment in a Thursday press conference, saying that the incident is a "serious matter" that "can result in serious injury."

"That prank that was alleged to have happened later turned serious as they began to make threatening and alarming comments to the family. People who are in their residences, according to our laws and laws across our nation, can defend themselves," he said.

The suspects could face charges including burglary and making criminal threats.

Homeowner was 'an easy target'

Coffindaffer told NewsNation the suspects will be identified. She said the home was deliberately targeted because the occupant who lived there was seen as "an easy target."

She said people who know the suspects likely have figured out it was them in the video.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department's evidence submission portal.