11-year-old boy dies in 'knock down ginger' prank gone wrong
An 11-year old boy has died in an alleged game of 'knock down ginger'.
Julian Guzman was allegedly shot in the back in Texas, when he was playing the game on one of his neighbour's doors. The boy died in hospital following the incident.
"Officers were told the male was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away. A witness stated the male was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound," Houston homicide detectives said, according to ABC News.
It's reported that one person who was detained for questioning was released but later detained again. Sergeant Michael Cass said it was not yet apparent if the man was the owner of the home in which the prank took place.
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The man has now been named as 42-year-old Gonzalo Leon Jr and has been charged with murder.
In a press conference, Cass said that the boy had been running from the property with two others when a witness saw a man leave the home and fire multiple rounds in their direction.
'Knock down ginger' is a game that has been played by children for decades and involves knocking on a neighbour's door before running away.
In a statement released on Tuesday (2 September), Houston Police Department explained that charges had been filed against Leon.
"Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a juvenile male in the 9700 block of Racine Street about 10:55 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 30)," it reads.
"The suspect, Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, is charged with murder in the 177th Criminal District Court.
"The victim is identified as Julian Guzman, 11."
The release continued: "HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and learned a male was shot once and had been transported to an area hospital. Doctors pronounced the male, later identified as Guzman, deceased on Aug. 31.
"Officers were told that Guzman was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away. A witness stated Guzman was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound.
"Officers detained one person at the scene for questioning. That individual was questioned and released as the investigation continued.
"Detectives conducted a thorough investigation and identified Leon as the suspect in this incident. The Harris County Districts Attorney’s Office was consulted and the suspect was subsequently charged on Monday (Sept. 1)."
Authorities have not named Leon as the individual detained initially.
Lucy Devine