Police say a Houston man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy after a prank in which the child rang the doorbell of a home and ran away.
‘Houston saved us:’ Louisiana SPCA remembers the city’s lifesaving role for shelter pets during Hurricane Katrina Read full article: ‘Houston saved us:’ Louisiana SPCA remembers the city’s lifesaving role for shelter pets during Hurricane Katrina9 minutes agoNext photo A makeshift memorial for 11-year-old Julian Guzman , who was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, is shown Tuesday, Sept.
2, 2025, in Houston. Neighbor George Skinner, right, talks a police investigator outside a home Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Houston, near the location where 11-year-old Julian Guzman was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, according to police. A home is shown Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Houston, near the location where 11-year-old Julian Guzman was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, according to police. A makeshift memorial for 11-year-old Julian Guzman, who was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, is shown Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Houston. A makeshift memorial for 11-year-old Julian Guzman, who was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, is shown Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Houston. A makeshift memorial for 11-year-old Julian Guzman, who was shot and killed during a doorbell prank, is shown Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Houston. The 42-year-old man, identified by authorities as Gonzalo Leon Jr., was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail in Houston early Tuesday. On local property records, Leon matches the name of the owner of the home where police say the boy rang the doorbell.According to police, the boy, Julian Guzman, had been ringing doorbells as a prank late Saturday. Commonly referred to as “ding dong ditching,” the prank involves fleeing before someone inside the home opens the door. “Our witness says the suspect came out of the door, ran out into the street and was firing down the road,” Houston police Sgt. Michael Cass told reporters on Sunday.“In my opinion, it doesn’t look like any type of self-defense. It wasn’t close to the house,” Cass said. About a half block away from the suspect's home and where Guzman collapsed after being shot, a makeshift memorial had been set up with a cross, prayer candles, flowers and a photo of the boy. Various messages were written on the cross, including, “I miss you Julian. I still wish you were here but I will always love you 4ever” and “I love you Julian. You will always be in my heart. Rest In Peace Baby Mom.” Other “ding dong ditch” pranks have turned deadly in the past. In 2023, a Southern California man was convicted of first-degree murder forIn May, a Virginia man was charged with second-degree murder for shooting an 18-year-old who rang his doorbell while a filming a TikTok video, the New York TimesCopyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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