Crime
Leon Gonzalo Jr charged with murder in shooting death of 11-year-old Julian Guzman while playing Ding-Dong Ditch Prank
HOUSTON, Texas — A Houston man has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Julian Guzman, who was killed while playing a neighborhood prank over the weekend.
According to court records, 42-year-old Leon Gonzalo Jr. has been formally charged with murder.
His bond has not yet been set, and he is scheduled to make his first court appearance this morning.
The shooting occurred just before 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the 9700 block of Mimbrough near Fidelity Street in east Harris County.
Investigators say Guzman and several friends were playing a game commonly known as “ding dong ditch,” in which children ring a doorbell or knock on a door and then run away.
Police report that after the group rang the doorbell at a residence on Mimbrough, a man came outside and opened fire as the children fled.
Guzman was struck by gunfire and collapsed about a block away.
He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
Authorities initially detained a man at the scene for questioning before releasing him.
Following Guzman’s death, the suspect was taken into custody again on Sunday for further investigation, which led to formal charges being filed.
The case remains under active investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.