A Texas resident has been accused of murder following the tragic shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Houston, resulting from a ‘ding dong ditch’ prank gone awry.
This prank involves ringing the doorbell of a random house and fleeing before the door is answered.
Julian Guzman, 11, engaged in this prank last Saturday, August 30, in Houston, near Mimbrough and Fidelity streets, around 10:55 pm local time.
According to a witness who spoke to KHOU 11, someone pursued the child down the street, armed, and subsequently fired shots at him.
The Houston Police Department has confirmed the boy’s death on Sunday, August 31, as investigations continue.
In a recent release, they stated: “Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a juvenile male in the 9700 block of Racine Street about 10:55 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 30).
“The identity of the deceased male, 11, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.”
Gonzalo Leon has been arrested and charged with the murder of the 11-year-old, according to the Houston Police Department, following his apprehension on Tuesday, September 2.
Leon’s arrest occurred two days after the incident, with Sgt. Michael Cass indicating that the evidence does not support a self-defense claim.
He told KHOU: “In my opinion, it does not look like any type of self-defense. It wasn’t close to the house, so it’ll more than likely be a murder charge.”
After being dispatched to the scene last weekend, HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Cass and Detective J. Brown reported: “HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and learned a male was shot and had been transported to an area hospital. Doctors pronounced him deceased today (Aug. 31).
“Officers were told the male was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away. A witness stated the male was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound.”
KHOU interviewed local residents, who expressed their shock over the recent events.
“What harm could they have done? Playing with a doorbell? That’s the part that really kind of hurts the heart,” one neighbor shared with the outlet. “For someone to shoot him in the back, they knew they were a kid. What’s the purpose of it?”
There is currently no information on whether Leon has entered a plea, and details regarding legal representation are not available.