Nationwide — Julian Guzman, an 11-year-old boy from Houston, Texas, was shot dead while playing a ding-dong-ditch prank with friends. His neighbor, 42-year-old Leon Gonzalo Jr., has been charged with murder after firing at the children as they ran away.
The shooting happened late Saturday night on Racine Street. Guzman and his friends had been playing ding-dong ditch, a popular TikTok prank where kids knock on doors or ring doorbells before running off. Police said Gonzalo came out of his home and opened fire.
Guzman was struck in the back and rushed to the hospital. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead the next day, according to the Daily Mail.
His mother, Janet, said her son “didn’t hurt anyone” and “didn’t deserve” to die for playing a game. She remembered him as affectionate, loving, and always smiling.
Their family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses following Guzman’s death. It has so far raised nearly $20,000. Family and friends are also organizing a benefit raffle for additional support.
Neighbors said they warned the children earlier that day to stop playing the prank, calling it dangerous. Despite the warning, Guzman and his friends returned to play the game later that evening, leading to the deadly encounter.
Police arrested Gonzalo after urging him to surrender with a bullhorn. Officers searched his home and seized multiple rifles and handguns. He was charged Tuesday morning and booked into jail.
Investigators say the case does not appear to be self-defense. Under Texas’ Castle Doctrine, homeowners can use deadly force if threatened, but legal experts doubt that claim applies to children knocking on a door.
The shooting has left the neighborhood shaken. One resident said, “What harm could they have done? Playing with a doorbell? That’s the part that really kind of hurts the heart. For someone to shoot him in the back, they knew they were a kid. What’s the purpose of it.”
Authorities continue to review surveillance footage as the investigation moves forward.