Houston — An 11-year-old boy was fatally shot over the weekend while playing a doorbell prank with friends, and a 42-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the tragedy.
Authorities say Julian Guzman was attending a birthday party in east Houston when he and his cousin began playing “ding-dong-ditch,” a childhood prank in which kids ring a doorbell and run away. When they knocked on the home of Gonzalo Leon Jr., the man allegedly came outside with a handgun.
Investigators say Leon first fired into the ground, then aimed at the fleeing children. Julian was struck in the back. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries the following day.
Police recovered about 20 firearms from Leon’s home, including rifles and shotguns. Prosecutors have charged him with murder and are seeking a $1 million bond. Officials stressed that Texas’ self-defense and “castle doctrine” laws do not apply in this case because the children were unarmed and running away.
The shooting has left the neighborhood in shock. Community members are mourning Julian’s death and questioning how a harmless prank ended with such devastating consequences.