A suspect has been charged in the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy who was playing “ding dong ditch” in Harris County, Texas.
Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, was charged with murder and arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting, the Houston Police Department said. Police also identified the victim as Julian Guzman, who witnesses said was running away from the house when he was shot.
“Officers were told that Guzman was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away,” the police department said. “A witness stated Guzman was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound.”
Local emergency crews took Guzman to a nearby hospital in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds on Saturday night. He died on Sunday.
Police initially detained someone at the scene for questioning who was later released. Police also said they seized several rifles and handguns as evidence from the home while executing a search warrant.
Homicide Detective Sgt. Michael Cass told KHOU 11 earlier this week that investigators don’t think the boy was shot in self-defense.
“In my opinion, it does not look like any type of self-defense,” Cass said. “It wasn’t close to the house, so it’ll more than likely be a murder charge.”
“Ding dong ditch” is an age-old prank that involves ringing someone’s doorbell or knocking on their door and running away before they answer the door. The prank has recently gained popularity on social media, including on TikTok.
In May, an 18-year-old in Virginia was also shot and killed while filming a “ding dong ditch” prank for TikTok. Tyler Chase Butler, 27, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Butler says he was acting “out of a genuine fear for his safety and the safety of his mother,” according to a statement from his attorneys.
Another Texas was also arrested on three felony charges last month after Frisco police said he fired his gun at a group of teens who attempted the “ding dong ditch” prank at his house, CBS News reports.
Frisco Police Chief David Shilson warned against the dangers of the prank.
“The teens involved in this case are very fortunate they were not shot and killed or seriously injured,” he told CBS News. “For homeowners, it is important to understand that there are legal and criminal consequences for running outside and shooting at a vehicle fleeing the scene.”
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
