An innocent childhood prank has ended in tragedy after an 11-year-old boy was shot in Houston. Julian Guzman was playing the classic “ding dong ditch” prank with friends on August 30 when the night turned deadly.

Police say Leon Gonzalo, 42, stepped outside and opened fire as the children ran away. “Sadly, one of the boys, who was 11 years old, was shot in the back,” Sergeant Michael Cass said. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Julian was pronounced dead the next day.

Authorities confirmed the shooting was not self-defense. “They were doing what 11-year-old boys do, just playing pranks,” District Attorney Sean Teare explained. Witnesses reported seeing Gonzalo fire at the fleeing children. He has since been arrested and charged.

The prank, popular on TikTok, has led to other deadly incidents nationwide. What was once harmless fun now raises heartbreaking questions about safety and anger.

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