By Jenna Sundel and Jason Lemon
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Texas authorities have charged 42-year-old Leon Gonzalo Jr. with murder after a "ding dong ditch" shooting left a child dead in Houston over the weekend.
The Houston Police Department announced in a news release on Tuesday that Gonzalo was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Julian Guzman.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office confirmed to Newsweek that Gonzalo was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.
Read More on U.S.
The Context
The prank of ringing a doorbell then fleeing is a long-standing prank that has gained new popularity on social media. The trend has resulted in several fatal altercations in recent years.
In May, a man was charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting an 18-year-old filming the prank in Virginia, The New York Times reported.
In 2023, a California man was convicted of three counts of murder for ramming his car into another vehicle, killing three teenagers after they rang his doorbell.
Who Is Leon Gonzalo Jr.? What to Know
Gonzalo was booked into jail on Tuesday, according to records from the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
The Houston Police Department said detectives conducted a "thorough" investigation and identified Gonzalo as the suspect.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office charged Gonzalo on Monday, and SWAT Team members arrested him on Tuesday.
...
What to Know About Houston's 'Ding Dong Ditch' Murder
The shooting happened around 11 p.m. on Saturday near the 9700 block of Racine Street, police said.
Police said the boy and other children had been ringing doorbells and running from homes. A person inside one residence came out and fired at the group, striking the boy in the back, according to local television reporting and police statements. The child was transported to a hospital and died on Sunday.
Officials investigated a search warrant at the home and seized several rifles and handguns, according to KHOU 11.
What People Are Saying
Sergeant Michael Cass, a Houston Police Department detective on the scene, told KHOU 11: "A witness said someone ran out of that house and was shooting at the kids running down the street. And unfortunately, and sadly enough, one of the boys who was 11 years old was shot in the back."
Neighbor George Skinner told KHOU 11: "It's an innocent life taken. He could have avoided it. The parents maybe could have avoided it. You got to teach them and let them know what's right and what's wrong, and it's wrong to knock on somebody's door playing a prank."
What Happens Next
Gonzalo was expected to appear in court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Update 09/02/25, 12:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines