A tragic incident has unfolded in Houston, Texas, where 42-year-old Gonzalo Leon Jr. has been charged with murder following the shooting death of 11-year-old Julián Guzman. This heartbreaking event occurred during a prank known as “knock and run,” which has gained popularity among young people and has, alarmingly, led to fatalities in recent years.
According to police reports, Julián and his friends were engaging in this lighthearted prank by ringing doorbells and fleeing the scene when Leon allegedly opened fire. A witness has stated that Julián was running away from Leon’s house at the time he was shot. Police emphasised that the shooting appeared to have no basis in self-defence, as the child was reportedly over six metres away when he was struck, thus not posing a threat.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare confirmed that the autopsy supported this notion, further noting that the distance from which Julián was shot indicated he was not an immediate danger. Following the shooting incident, Julián was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next day, leaving the community in mourning.
Leon made his first court appearance and accepted a court-appointed attorney. However, he has not cooperated with investigators and did not provide a statement regarding the incident. Prosecutors plan to request a $1 million bond at his next court hearing, with discussions about potentially elevating the charge to capital murder given the victim’s young age.
This incident adds to a troubling trend linked to “knock and run” pranks, which have become prevalent on social media platforms like TikTok, sometimes resulting in lethal consequences. Just months prior, an 18-year-old was killed in a similar prank in Virginia, and in 2020, three teenagers lost their lives in California after their prank led to a tragic car crash caused by an enraged driver.
Julián’s mother, Janet Rodriguez, has expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of her beloved son, describing him as a loving and cheerful boy who brought joy to those around him. In heartfelt messages shared online, she conveyed her unbearable pain and lamented the senseless nature of her child’s death, stating, “They took my child, my baby, at such a young age. We had a whole life ahead of us.”
The Harris County victim assistance division has reached out to offer support to the Guzman family during this difficult time as they navigate their overwhelming grief.