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A Vivacious 11-Year-Old Killed in a ‘Ding Dong Ditch’ Prank Will Be Laid to Rest Saturday. A Veteran Is Charged in His Death
Gonzalo Leon faces murder charge after shooting 11-year-old Julian Guzman during a doorbell prank; prosecutors highlight intent and firearm possession in the case.
- On August 30, 2025, 11-year-old Julián Guzman was fatally shot in East Houston while playing a door-knocking prank near Gonzalo Leon's home.
- The incident followed Guzman and his cousins repeatedly knocking on Leon's door and running away, which led Leon to shoot from near a stop sign.
- Leon, a 42-year-old Army veteran who served from 2013 to 2016 and later joined the Texas National Guard, was arrested Monday after investigators recovered over 20 firearms at his home.
- During Leon's bond hearing, prosecutors called this an "intentional and knowing act; this wasn't reckless behavior," and a judge set his bond at $1 million.
- Julián's funeral services will occur Friday and Saturday, and District Attorney Sean Teare indicated the case may be presented as capital murder due to the victim's age.
25 Articles
25 Articles
A vivacious 11-year-old killed in a ‘ding dong ditch’ prank will be laid to rest Saturday. A veteran is charged in his death
Instead of playing soccer with his friends, 11-year-old Julián Guzman will be laid to rest Saturday – exactly one week after a popular children’s prank ended with a fatal gunshot wound to his back.
By Danya Gainor and Holly Yan, CNN Julian Guzman, 11, and his cousin were at a family party Saturday night when they decided to go out alone. What started as innocent fun soon took a devastating turn. They took to the streets of their east Houston neighborhood to play a classic prank: ringing a doorbell and running away before anyone could answer. The duo had already fooled other neighbors when they arrived at a home on Mimbrough Street shortly …
Ding Dong Ditch Shooting Suspect Given $1 Million Bond: Major New Details
A Texas man who reportedly shot an 11-year-old playing “ding dong ditch” has had his bond set at $1 million. More details about his past have also been revealed in court. What happened: 11-year-old Julian Guzman and his friends were reportedly out playing “ding dong ditch” late on Saturday night. It’s a game where you knock on a stranger’s front door and run away before they can answer. Guzman knocked on 42-year-old Gonzalo Leon Jr’s door at ar…
Army veteran accused of shooting 11-year-old Texas doorbell prankster gets $1M bond
“I think that a very high bond is warranted if the allegations involve someone intentionally killing an 11-year-old for knocking on their door,” a Harris County Assistant District Attorney said
Bail set at $1 million for Houston man accused of killing 11-year-old boy over door-knocking prank
Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, appeared before Judge Emily Detoto during a bail hearing Wednesday. Leon is charged with murder in the death of Julian Guzman, who was shot in the back late Saturday night in East Houston.
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