Texas Man Charged with Murder in Fatal Door-Knock Prank Shooting
A 42-year-old Texas man faces murder charges in Houston for allegedly shooting and killing 11-year-old Julian Guzman during a door-knock prank.
Houston man arrested for murder after boy killed in ‘ding-dong-ditch’ prank
New York Daily News
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Overview
- Julian Guzman, an 11-year-old boy, was fatally shot in southeast Houston late Saturday night while participating in a "ding dong ditch" door-knock prank.
- Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, was subsequently charged with murder and jailed in Harris County in connection with the deadly shooting incident.
- Witnesses reported that the boy was running from a house after ringing the doorbell when he was shot, and was pronounced dead Sunday.
- Authorities discovered multiple weapons inside the suspect's Houston residence following the incident, which involved a group of individuals.
- The tragic event highlights concerns about a dangerous social media trend involving door-knocking pranks, reportedly linked to other fatal shootings this year.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this tragic incident neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of a crime. They present the events straightforwardly, detailing the charges, the victim, and the circumstances without employing loaded language or editorializing. The coverage prioritizes official statements and basic facts, maintaining an objective tone.
"The shooting of an 11-year-old boy during a door-knock prank has resulted in a murder charge against a 42-year-old man, highlighting the tragic consequences of a social media trend gone wrong."
ABC News"A man has been charged in the deadly shooting of a boy who was struck in the back by gunfire while playing "ding dong ditch" Saturday night in Houston, Texas, authorities said."
CBS News"A Houston man has been charged with murder after allegedly fatally shooting an 11-year-old boy who was playing a game of "ding-dong ditch.""
NBC News"The tragic incident highlights the severe consequences of seemingly harmless pranks, leading to the death of an innocent child."
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FAQ
The suspect charged is Gonzalo Leon Jr., a 42-year-old man from Houston.
Julian Guzman was participating in a 'ding dong ditch' prank, ringing doorbells and running away when he was shot in the back after ringing a doorbell at a residence.
The shooting occurred late Saturday night, August 30, 2025, in southeast Houston on the 9700 block of Racine Street.
Gonzalo Leon Jr. has been charged with murder and is currently held in the Harris County Jail.
Yes, the shooting is associated with the dangerous 'door-kicking challenge,' a social media trend where kids record themselves ringing doorbells or kicking doors and running away, which has been linked to other fatal shootings this year.
History
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