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.
City of Hammond, Louisiana — At approximately 11:50 p.m. on February 24, 2026, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to a report of shots fired involving one possible victim.
Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old juvenile female, identified as Tyronai Reed, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered at the scene, and she was transported to North Oaks Health System for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Reed later succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched an immediate homicide investigation.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified 18-year-old Demontez Treyvon “Trey” Robinson of Hammond as a suspect in the shooting.
While actively working the case, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.
Robinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
Robinson was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning. According to investigators, Robinson admitted that the firearm discharged while he was handling or “playing with” it, resulting in the single round striking the 14-year-old victim.
Robinson was subsequently booked into the Hammond City Jail on one count of Negligent Homicide.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains in its early stages and additional details may be released as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Morse with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5758 or via email at morse_cm@hammond.org. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s official Facebook page or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Individuals providing information may be eligible for a cash reward. Authorities urge members of the community to assist in the ongoing investigation.