What was supposed to be a lighthearted game of “ding-dong ditch” ended in a heartbreaking tragedy over the holiday weekend in Houston.
Julian Guzman, an 11-year-old boy, lost his life after an encounter with a homeowner who allegedly responded with gunfire.
The incident has left the community in shock and raised serious questions about anger, firearms, and safety in residential neighborhoods.
Alleged Ambush at the Door
Authorities say Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, may have waited for the children to return to his house before opening fire. Leon allegedly shot Julian in the back after he and his cousin had been ringing doorbells as part of the prank.
The boys reportedly ran away quickly each time, but Leon is accused of lying in wait and striking when they returned.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Terre told local news outlet KRIV, “This was someone brutally murdering an 11-year-old simply because they were mad.
We have a little boy who didn’t even have a chance to get his life going yet, struck down for nothing.”
Court Proceedings and Charges
On Wednesday, a Houston district court set Leon’s bond at $1 million.
Prosecutors are preparing to upgrade the charges from murder to capital murder.
Terre warned that acting in anger with a firearm can lead to unimaginable consequences, noting that a game like ding-dong ditch has been played for generations without such deadly results.
Witness Account and Investigation Details
Julian’s cousin, who was with him at the time, described seeing Leon emerge from a gate and fire at the ground before aiming at the boys.
After the shooting, the cousin rushed to help Julian, who had collapsed and pleaded for help.
Sadly, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital after an autopsy confirmed he died from a gunshot wound.
Investigators recovered at least 20 firearms from Leon’s home, including a medium-caliber handgun believed to be the murder weapon.
The boys had reportedly been playing the viral game on Saturday night because they were bored at a birthday party.
Family Reaction and Support
Julian’s mother, Janet Rodriguez, has shared her grief publicly through a GoFundMe page, describing her son as “affectionate, loving, always smiling, and attentive to everyone.”
She added, “My child, my baby, was stolen from me at a very young age. We had a whole life ahead of us.
He didn’t deserve it. We will always love you. It’s not a goodbye, but a see you later.
I will forever love you, my boy. You’re gone, but never forgotten.”
The Shooter’s Family and Legal Representation
Leon is married and has a young child. Initially released before the investigation escalated to a homicide case, he was later arrested.
A SWAT team reportedly surrounded a Houston hotel where Leon’s family had gone to avoid the media.
His court-appointed attorney, Gianpaolo Macerola, emphasized his client’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent.