Nationwide — Julian Guzman, an 11-year-old boy from Houston, Texas, was shot lifeless whereas enjoying a ding-dong-ditch prank with pals. His neighbor, 42-year-old Leon Gonzalo Jr., has been charged with homicide after firing on the kids as they ran away.
The taking pictures occurred late Saturday evening on Racine Road. Guzman and his pals had been enjoying ding-dong ditch, a well-liked TikTok prank the place youngsters knock on doorways or ring doorbells earlier than working off. Police stated Gonzalo got here out of his house and opened hearth.
Guzman was struck within the again and rushed to the hospital. He suffered a number of gunshot wounds and was pronounced lifeless the subsequent day, in response to the Each day Mail.
His mom, Janet, stated her son “didn’t harm anybody” and “didn’t deserve” to die for enjoying a sport. She remembered him as affectionate, loving, and at all times smiling.
Their household has arrange a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist with bills following Guzman’s loss of life. It has up to now raised practically $20,000. Household and pals are additionally organizing a profit raffle for extra help.
Neighbors stated they warned the youngsters earlier that day to cease enjoying the prank, calling it harmful. Regardless of the warning, Guzman and his pals returned to play the sport later that night, resulting in the lethal encounter.
Police arrested Gonzalo after urging him to give up with a bullhorn. Officers searched his house and seized a number of rifles and handguns. He was charged Tuesday morning and booked into jail.
Investigators say the case doesn’t look like self-defense. Underneath Texas’ Citadel Doctrine, owners can use lethal drive if threatened, however authorized specialists doubt that declare applies to kids knocking on a door.
The taking pictures has left the neighborhood shaken. One resident stated, “What hurt might they’ve accomplished? Enjoying with a doorbell? That’s the half that basically sort of hurts the center. For somebody to shoot him within the again, they knew they have been a child. What’s the aim of it.”
Authorities proceed to overview surveillance footage because the investigation strikes ahead.
