Houston Man Faces $1 Million Bail After Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old in ‘Ding Dong Ditch’ Incident
Houston Man Faces $1 Million Bail After Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old in ‘Ding Dong Ditch’ Incident
Houston prosecutors are seeking a $1 million bail for Gonzalo Leon Jr., the 42-year-old man charged with murder in the shooting death of 11-year-old Julian Guzman. Leon, who appeared before a magistrate judge on Tuesday, is accused of fatally shooting the boy during what police describe as a ‘ding-dong-ditch’ prank over the weekend.
Julian Guzman was reportedly shot in the back around 11 p.m. Saturday in the 9700 block of Racine in the Clinton Park neighborhood. According to police, Julian and his cousin had been playing doorbell pranks after a family birthday party when Leon allegedly emerged from his home and fired shots as the boys ran away. Julian died Sunday at a hospital.
During a Tuesday court appearance, Leon was denied an initial bond and ordered to appear before a district court judge this Wednesday morning. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare emphasized the severity of the allegations, stating that an individual capable of shooting an 11-year-old in the back for ringing a doorbell poses a continuing threat to the community, justifying the high bail request.
Authorities have found no evidence supporting a claim of self-defense under Texas’ ‘castle doctrine,’ noting Julian was unarmed and not attempting to enter Leon’s property. Following Julian’s death, investigators returned to Leon’s home, recovering over 20 firearms, including AR-style rifles, shotguns, and pistols. Leon, who has no prior criminal history in Harris County, could face five to 99 years in prison if convicted of murder.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.