• An 11-year-old boy in Houston was shot during a "ding dong ditch" prank.
• The shooter, Gonzalo Leon Jr., has been charged with murder.
• The tragic event echoes previous incidents linked to similar pranks.
• The boy, identified as Julian Guzman, died in the hospital after the shooting.

An 11-year-old boy, identified as Julian Guzman, died in Houston after being shot while playing a prank known as "ding dong ditch," which involves ringing a doorbell and fleeing before anyone answers. The shooting occurred late Saturday night, according to the Houston Police Department. Guzman was shot in the back and succumbed to his injuries the following day at a local hospital, as reported by CBS News and South China Morning Post.

Authorities apprehended Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, on murder charges related to the incident after a SWAT team conducted an operation at his residence. Witnesses indicated that Leon exited his home and fired at Guzman and his friends as they ran away after the prank, highlighting the tragic turn of events that led to Guzman's death. The shooting does not appear to fall under self-defense claims, according to police statements and The Hill and BBC.

This incident reflects a disturbing trend, as similar "ding dong ditch" pranks have previously resulted in severe consequences. Notably, a California man was found guilty of murdering three teens who played the prank, while a Virginia man was charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting an 18-year-old involved in a similar prank video. Such events have raised awareness about the dangers inherent in these seemingly innocent activities, according to The Hill, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.