A 42-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting an 11-year-old boy who was taking part in a door-knocking prank in southeast Houston.

Shooting Details

The shooting happened around 10:55 p.m. on Saturday when the boy, identified as Julian Guzman, and his friends were playing “ding-dong-ditch,” a prank that involves banging on doors and running away. Police say Guzman was shot in the back and collapsed about a block from the home. He was pronounced dead at a hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Suspect Arrested

The suspect, Leon Gonzalo Jr., was arrested Tuesday morning and booked into Harris County Jail on a murder charge. Authorities said Gonzalo initially spoke with police after the shooting but was released. He was taken into custody again once the child’s death was confirmed. A search of the home uncovered a large number of firearms.

Police Say No Self-Defense

According to Houston police, witnesses reported that the shooter came out of his house and fired into the street as the children ran away. “In my opinion, it doesn’t look like any type of self-defense,” Sgt. Michael Cass said.

Dangerous Social Media Trend

The prank is part of the so-called “door-kicking challenge,” a social media trend where kids record themselves banging on or kicking doors before running off. The challenge has been linked to other recent incidents across the U.S., including gunfire in Texas and repeated harassment in Arizona.

For more on this tragic shooting, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine and our news partner ABC13 Houston’s Brianna Willis.