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.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.