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Arrest made in fatal Houston 'ding-dong ditch' prank
A man has been charged with murder for the deadly shooting of an 11-year-old boy who police say was killed while playing "ding dong ditch" in Houston over the weekend.
HOUSTON - A man has been charged with murder for the deadly shooting of an 11-year-old boy who police say was killed while playing "ding dong ditch" in Houston over the weekend.
Suspect charged in ‘ding dong ditch’ shooting
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'Ding-ding ditch' shooting suspect was armed and ready
The suspect in the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old who was playing a ding-dong ditch prank is believed to have been lying in wait with a gun to shoot at the child.
According to court records, Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, has been charged with murder. Police identified the victim as 11-year-old Julian Guzman.
He appeared in court Tuesday morning, but he was not given bond. He is expected to appear in court again Wednesday.
Houston boy killed while playing ‘ding dong ditch’
Gonzalo Leon Jr (Photo: Houston Police Department)
The backstory:
The shooting occurred just before 11 p.m. Saturday in the 9700 block of Mimbrough, near Fidelity Street, in east Harris County.
According to police, the boy and his friends were playing ding dong ditch and rang a doorbell at the home on Mimbrough.
Police say someone in the house came out and started shooting as the kids were running away.
The boy was shot and collapsed about a block away. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later passed away.
A man was detained at the scene for questioning and later released. Police say he was detained again on Sunday for another interview after the boy died.
Court documents reveal new information
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Houston man charged with murder for 'ding dong ditch' shooting
A Houston man has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting and killing an 11-year-old boy who was playing ding dong ditch over the weekend.
Court documents revealed the 11-year-old boy and his cousin were at a family birthday party on Saturday night and the two decided to walk around knocking on doors and running away as a joke.
His cousin told police they knocked on the suspect's door several times. The last time, the cousin heard a gunshot as they ran away. He said he saw a man run out of the house with a pistol, firing once at the ground, then shot again in their direction, hitting the 11-year-old in the back.
Officials now say Leon is believed to have waited in the shadows as the children played their prank, finally firing at them the last time they attempted the joke.
Documents stated the 11-year-old collapsed and cried out for help. His cousin tried to drag him to safety and says he saw the suspect walk back inside.
A neighbor rushed over to help before officers responded.
Court documents also stated that Leon was home with his wife and toddler at the time of the incident. When they searched his home, police found 20 firearms.
11-year-old boy identified
Julian Guzman (Photo: via GoFundMe)
Police identified the victim as 11-year-old Julian Guzman.
In a GoFundMe, his mother wrote, "I WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU MY BOY. YOU’RE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. We will seek justice for YOU."
Guzman was a student at Galena Park Middle School.
"We are deeply saddened to inform you that one of our students passed away Saturday night. This news is understandably devastating, and this tragedy will deeply affect the Galena Park Middle School and Galena Park ISD communities. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the student’s family and friends and ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers," the Galena Park Middle School principal wrote in a letter to parents, adding that counselors are available to students and staff.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Houston Police Department and court records.