HOUSTON — An 11-year-old boy is dead after police say he was shot during a “ding-dong-ditch” prank in east Houston late Saturday night.

The shooting happened around 11 p.m. near Mimbrough and Fidelity streets, just east of the East Loop.

According to Houston police, a group of children was ringing doorbells in a neighborhood when one particular house drew an unusual response. Witnesses noted that someone emerged from this house and began shooting at the children as they attempted to flee.

“A witness says someone ran out of that house and was shooting at the kids running down the street, and unfortunately, sadly enough, one of the boys who was 11 years old was shot in the back,” explained HPD Homicide Detective Sgt. Michael Cass.

The boy was taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and later died Sunday afternoon.

Authorities reported that a man was taken into custody for questioning at the location of the shooting. He has not been arrested but was being interrogated by homicide detectives as of Sunday.

While executing a search warrant at the house, investigators collected several rifles and handguns as evidence.

When asked about potential charges, Sgt. Cass said the circumstances don’t appear to support a self-defense claim.

“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,” Cass commented.

Neighbors said they’re devastated over the boy’s death and stunned that a child lost his life over what they considered a harmless prank.

A local resident expressed disbelief, saying, “What harm could they have done? Playing with a doorbell? That’s the part that really kind of hurts the heart,” he told KHOU 11. “For someone to shoot him in the back, they knew they were a kid. What’s the purpose of it?”

Others shared a safety reminder for parents and children.

“You just don’t go knocking on people’s doors,” one neighbor said.

“I guess for parents out there, just be more cautious of the times we’re living in now,” Cass added.

Police are collaborating with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on potential charges. Investigators are also reviewing surveillance videos and seeking additional footage from nearby residents.

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