SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Springfield man, Melvin L. Rankin, has been charged following an alleged incident in which he reportedly shot at, threatened, and robbed four juveniles who were playing a prank in his neighborhood.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Springfield police, the incident occurred in the early hours of January 19, 2025, when four juveniles played “ding-dong ditch” at a residence. The prank escalated after Rankin, 6’0”-6’1” with a heavy-set build, allegedly fired a gun from his garage as the juveniles fled to their vehicle.
Rankin then reportedly pursued the juveniles in his white Jeep, forcing them to stop at a dead end. He allegedly held them at gunpoint with what was described as a sawed-off shotgun with a pistol grip, demanded they exit the vehicle, and ordered them to lie on the ground.
During the confrontation, Rankin is accused of pressing the weapon to the head of one victim and interrogating the group, asking, “Who sent you?” and “Where’s the gun?” The juveniles claimed they apologized and identified themselves as kids playing a prank. Rankin then allegedly took the car keys, which were attached to a Mizzou lanyard, and left the scene.
