HOUSTON — A 42-year-old man has been charged with murder following the shooting of an 11-year-old boy during a late-night prank in Houston. The incident occurred around 10:55 p.m. on Saturday when the victim and his friends participated in what police described as a “ding-dong-ditch” prank, a trend popularized on social media platforms like TikTok.

The suspect, identified as Leon Gonzalo Jr., was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on Tuesday morning. He faces one count of murder, according to court records. The boy, who was initially reported as 10 years old, was later identified as Julian Guzman. He was pronounced dead at a hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses reported that Guzman and his friends were ringing doorbells in the neighborhood and running away. A witness stated that Guzman was running from a house after ringing the doorbell just before he was shot. It remains unclear whether Gonzalo owns the home where the incident took place or if he merely resides there.

The prank is part of a national trend known as the “door-kicking challenge,” which involves groups of children recording themselves banging on doors and then fleeing the scene. This trend has led to various incidents across the country, raising concerns about safety.

Houston police Sgt. Michael Cass provided details about the shooting, stating that Gonzalo was initially detained after the incident but was released after questioning. He was taken back into custody after Guzman was pronounced dead. A search warrant executed at Gonzalo's home revealed a significant number of weapons.

Cass noted that Guzman lived about a block away from the location of the shooting. He explained that preliminary information suggests Guzman and his friends ran down the street after the prank. "Our witness says the suspect came out of the door, ran out into the street and was firing down the road," Cass said. He added that Guzman managed to run about a block before collapsing.

In light of this incident, Cass remarked, "In my opinion, it doesn’t look like any type of self-defense." The shooting follows a series of similar incidents linked to the door-kicking challenge. In July, a homeowner in Frisco, Texas, was charged with aggravated assault after firing at a vehicle that fled his home following a similar prank.

This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.