Houston, TX (AP) – An 11-year-old boy was tragically shot in Houston during a prank where he rang a doorbell and then ran away, according to police reports on Sunday.
The incident occurred when the boy was engaging in a prank late Saturday night, as stated in a release by the Houston Police Department. Known as “ding dong ditching,” this prank involves ringing doorbells and leaving before the occupant can answer.
The boy, who has not yet been identified, died of his wounds Sunday, police said.
Police spokesperson Shay Awosiyan mentioned that the investigation was ongoing and no arrests had been made by Sunday evening regarding the boy’s death.
Previous incidents of “ding dong ditch” pranks have also ended in tragedy. In 2023, a man from Southern California was convicted of first-degree murder for killing three teenage boys by deliberately crashing into their car after they had pranked him by ringing his doorbell.
Furthermore, in May, a man in Virginia faced charges of second-degree murder after shooting an 18-year-old in response to the boy ringing his doorbell while recording a TikTok video of the prank, as reported by the New York Times.
