I freaked out my neighbor by shining a laser in his window... Should I feel bad?

Seriously, guys... It's Easter, and I'm overwhelmed with a sense of regret. Mark (not his real name) now thinks that some crazy sniper is after him, and that the Mafia wants him dead. At first it was funny---my buddies and I laughed our butts off when he bought a top-of-the-line home security system, and we thought it was hilarious when he installed new steel shutters on all his windows. We even thought it was funny when he built a fence around his yard and let loose three pitbulls to guard his property. But after a month or so, the laughter turned more to pity. Now I really do feel bad for the poor son-of-a-gun... Maybe it's the turkey and gravy talking, but I really do think I should let him know what's going on, and apologize... What do you think?

If that's even a true story then I think your neighbor must have some issues he needs to work out. I don't think you should feel guilty but there is no harm in telling him that you was playing with your laser light and that's what he saw. I think him freaking out to that extreme is nonsense. Naw you shouldn't feel guilty...I know I wouldn't. LOL I'm still having a really hard time believing that's a true story though.

What is wrong with you? I would say if turkey and gravy brings you into your senses, then you better eat turkey and gravy for every meal! Of course you have to let him know what you have done and apologize to him!

Wow, letting him in on it is probably the right thing to do, but he is going to be pissed off that he bought all that stuff...

Actually the guy is probably just paranoid. Unless he's in the witness protection program or something there isn't usually an assassin waiting to kill someone like that.

I would say yes but a little part of me what's to say no because he just spent all this money thinking his house was unsafe to make it safe. I don't think he's going to laugh about it at all. BUT, at the same time you might want to think about telling him about the laser joke because if he has kids and he's so spooked by the joke.....he may not let the kids out and drive them nuts, etc. If he is a home owner and he takes pride in his home, it's not right to let him think his community is now a "bad" one. You know what I mean? I know this might sound dumb but even if you write him a letter, not telling him who it is from, but saying you played a joke and you're sorry you never told him sooner before he spent all this money on protection. Make up something even if you have to. Say you heard through some kids that they were playing with a laser...or even go over there with a laser toy and say...lookie at what I found on the ground. I just think you should put his mind at ease before this man has a fit and builds a water moat around his house. :)

You know what...if this is true, shame on you. I, if I were him, would want to kill you. I don't think I would tell him it was you and your buddies. I would go to a pay phone, disguise my voice or get someone else to talk for you, so he wouldn't recognize my voice....tell him you know its neighbors that were playing tricks with a laser. It will help put his mind at ease and he will never know for sure who did it. But at least he can maybe have some mental rest. Could also write an anonymous letter, stating the joke.
Kinda makes you wonder what he's been involved in, if he thinks the mafia wants him dead, don't it?

Yes! You were wrong to not go right out and tell him. I can see an April fools prank but that was way overboard. You owe him a fence and a guard dogs and a security system including all the things he did to increase his home security. I hope your homeowners insurance is up to date because if he finds out in any other way, what you did. He will sue your butt. he may sue it anyways but things are always better if you don't try to evade or cover up.

Of course you should. You should have done this much earlier. At your age (9 years old I guess) you should show some responsibility.