Welcome to Arrest Stories. A forty-two-year-old Houston man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting an eleven-year-old boy in the back during a childhood prank game of ding dong ditch, with bond set at one million dollars. Here's what may have happened.
On Saturday, August thirtieth, just before eleven p.m. on Racine Street, what started as innocent childhood fun turned deadly. Julian and his cousin had become bored at a birthday party and decided to play ding dong ditch, knocking on doors and running away. Julian was filming the prank on his cell phone, capturing what would become his final moments.
According to police reports, the boys knocked on Gonzalo Leon Junior's door three times within fifteen minutes. By the third knock, Leon was ready and waiting. Officials say he positioned himself in the shadows behind a fence in his side yard, lying in wait for the children's return.
When Julian and his cousin approached for the final time, Leon emerged from his hiding spot holding a pistol. A witness reported seeing the suspect, dressed in all black, extend his arm and fire. Leon first discharged a warning shot into the ground before raising his weapon toward the fleeing children.
As Julian ran down the sidewalk, Leon allegedly followed and fired again, striking the eleven-year-old in the back. The boy collapsed while his cell phone continued recording. Leon then slowly walked back to his house.
A SWAT team later took Leon into custody. During the arrest, firearms were seized from a small closet next to his front door.
Prosecutors were clear in their assessment, stating "The Castle Doctrine does not apply to this case in any way, shape, or form. We have an eleven-year-old little boy who was running away and was shot in the back. This was an intentional and knowing murder."
Officials emphasized that "Firearms and the use of firearms is not the answer. Whether you're on the freeway getting cut off or you're in your neighborhood angry at a group of kids, you can't utilize a gun, period."
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.
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