HOUSTON, TX – Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Julian Guzman in the 9700 block of Racine Street about 10:55 p.m. on Aug. 30.
The suspect, Gonzalo Leon Jr., is charged with murder in the 177th Criminal District Court. He was taken into custody Sept. 2 by members of HPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Detail and Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT).
According to the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division, Guzman was playing a prank commonly known as ding dong ditch, where kids ring doorbells and run away. A witness stated Guzman was running from a house just before being shot once.
He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased on Aug. 31.
Officers initially detained one person at the scene for questioning, but that individual was released. Detectives later identified Leon as the suspect and, after consultation with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, murder charges were filed on Sept. 1.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
