Houston 'ding dong ditch' shooting: $1M bond for murder suspect

HOUSTON - A judge is sending a strong message by setting a $1 million bond for the man accused of shooting and killing an 11-year-old boy while he was playing a prank.

Gonzalo Leon Jr. appeared in court Wednesday morning for a bond hearing. Prosecutors pushed for a $1 million bond. The defense asked for a $100,000 bond, but the judge sided with the state's request.

"I think a very high bond is warranted. The allegations involve someone intentionally killing an 11-year-old for knocking on their door," said John Brewer, Assistant District Attorney.

Harris County DA Sean Teare added, "When you have a case this tragic, having an 11-year-old shot in the back and murdered. A high bond is appropriate to protect the community from someone who has little regard for life."

RELATED: Houston 'ding-dong-ditch' shooting suspect 'waited' for children to return; charges to be upgraded, D.A. says

New information revealed in court

What they're saying:

According to prosecutors, Leon was arrested at a hotel in La Porte – about 20 miles from home – with a large amount of clothes, raising concerns he may have been trying to flee. His defense team said he was at the hotel because of a large media presence outside of his home, and the hotel was a few miles away from the college where he was enrolled.

The defense also said that Leon is a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 2013-2016. Mr. Christopher Surridge, U.S. Army spokesperson gave this statement:

Gonzalo Leon Jr. was an 11B (Infantryman) in the Regular Army from August 2013 to December 2016, and in the Texas National Guard from December 2016 to May 2021. He deployed to Afghanistan from November 2014 to April 2015, and left the Army in the rank of specialist.

Man allegedly waited in the dark

The backstory:

Authorities say 11-year-old Julian Guzman and his cousin were playing ding-dong ditch Saturday night after a family birthday party. Police say they knocked on Gonzalo Leon Jr.’s door and ran away multiple times. On their final attempt, investigators say Leon came out from behind a gate and fired two shots — one into the ground and another that struck Guzman in the back as he ran.

Police say Guzman and his cousin ran about a block away before Guzman collapsed. His cousin told police he tried to drag Guzman to safety before officers responded. Guzman died at the hospital the following day.

What they're saying:

"This was someone brutally murdering an 11-year-old simply because they were mad," said Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. "We have a little boy who didn’t even have a chance to get his life going yet, struck down for nothing."

"He just shot him down in the street and went about his business," Teare said. "What you can never do is discharge your firearm out of anger, ever. When things like that happen, tragedies like this occur."

The district attorney’s office says it’s considering upgrading the murder charge to capital murder, which would apply because Guzman was under 15 years old. However, prosecutors say they would not be able to seek the death penalty.

11-year-old identified

Police identified the victim as 11-year-old Julian Guzman. According to court documents, Guzman was attending a birthday party with family about a block away before the shooting.

Guzman was a student at Galena Park Middle School.

"We are deeply saddened to inform you that one of our students passed away Saturday night. This news is understandably devastating, and this tragedy will deeply affect the Galena Park Middle School and Galena Park ISD communities. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the student’s family and friends and ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers," the Galena Park Middle School principal wrote in a letter to parents, adding that counselors are available to students and staff.

Funeral services announced

Funeral services for 11-year-old Julian Guzman have been determined. 

According to Dignity Memorial, a visitation for Julian will be held on Friday, September 5 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo, located at 2516 Navigation Boulevard in Houston. 

A rosary service will take place the same day at 8 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo, located at 2516 Navigation Boulevard in Houston. 

A chapel service will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 12 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery, located at 8601 Almeda Genoa Road. 

A committal service will follow at 2:30 p.m. also at at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo, located at 2516 Navigation Boulevard in Houston. 

Was it simply ding dong ditch?

Clarifying online chatter:

Teare pushed back against online speculation that the incident was connected to a social media challenge that involves kids doing more egregious things to neighboring homes, like kicking doors, sometimes while masked and brandishing fake guns. Teare says that simply wasn't the case here, saying Guzman and his cousin were only ringing the doorbell and running away.

"Kids have been doing this for decades," said Teare. 

20 guns seized 

Dig deeper:

Records say investigators recovered more than 20 firearms from Leon’s home, including rifles, long guns and handguns. Teare says they believe a medium-caliber handgun was used in the shooting.

Leon was initially detained and released twice before his final arrest. He has not made a statement to investigators, officials said.

Records show Leon is a father himself, with a young child inside the home at the time of the shooting.

Leon remains in the Harris County Jail. His next court date, scheduled for October 21.

HoustonCrime and Public Safety