Houston Boy, 11, Fatally Shot After Playing Doorbell Prank, Police Say

A tragic incident occurred Saturday night in Houston, where an 11-year-old boy lost his life after engaging in a typical childhood prank referred to as “ding-dong ditch,” according to officials.

A group of boys approached a house in the Eastside neighborhood and rang the doorbell, only for the resident to respond by opening fire, according to Houston police.

According to police spokesperson Shay Awosiyan, emergency responders swiftly transported the child to a hospital, where they are in critical condition due to multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities confirmed his passing on Sunday.

As of Sunday evening, there were no arrests reported. Authorities are examining surveillance footage and collaborating with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to establish potential charges.

Sgt. Michael Cass from the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division informed KHOU 11 that the incident seemed to be an unwarranted act of aggression.

“From my perspective, it appears to lack any form of self-defense,” Cass stated. “Since it wasn’t near the house, it’s likely to lead to a murder charge.”

The event has ignited significant anger across social media and within the local community.

“Who on earth would shoot an 11-year-old child in the back for playing ding dong ditch with friends?” one user expressed on X, labeling the act as “sickening.”

The tragic death of the boy comes in the wake of other recent incidents associated with pranks. Earlier this year in Virginia, an 18-year-old lost their life while filming a “ding-dong ditch” prank for social media. A man in California received a life sentence in 2023 for crashing his car into a vehicle with six teenagers inside after they rang his doorbell, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

Officials in Houston have announced that their inquiry is still in progress. “We’re continuing to survey the area and engage with locals to ascertain the details of the incident,” Awosiyan stated.

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