Texas Man Fatally Shoots 11-Year-Old Boy During Doorbell Prank [Update]

A Texas man was jailed on murder charges on Tuesday, days after he allegedly shot and killed an 11-year-old boy playing a “ding dong ditch” prank.

According to Houston police, Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, shot Julian Guzman in the back as the teenager fled from a residence on Saturday. Guzman and some friends had rung Leon’s doorbell and then ran, prompting Leon to leave his home and open fire, fatally injuring the boy, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Guzman — who was struck multiple times — died the following day.

The Houston Chronicle indicated that Leon was initially released after being questioned. However, Houston police Sgt. Michael Cass stated that they re-arrested Leon following the tragic death of the boy.

Police said they found a “significant amount of weapons” inside the suspect’s home.

Guzman lived a block from the home where Saturday’s shooting transpired. Cass said Guzman ran about a block before collapsing in the street.

Community members set up a makeshift memorial for the boy, with crosses, candles, flowers, and supportive messages, approximately half a block from where the suspect lives.

“In my opinion, it doesn’t look like any type of self-defense,” Cass said, according to ABC News.

Leon remains jailed without bond pending a bail hearing, scheduled for Wednesday.

This incident has revived discussions about previous fatal prank situations. In 2023, a California man was convicted of first-degree murder after killing three teenagers who had rung his doorbell as part of a prank and subsequently lost their lives.

The man, according to WMAR, rammed his vehicle into all three victims.

Earlier this year, a Virginia man was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting a teenager during a similar prank. Reports suggested the victim had rung the man’s doorbell during a prank intended for a TikTok video.

This story is developing. 

[Feature Photo: Houston police, GoFundMe]