Tragedy struck a Hispanic family in Harris County, Texas, after an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed by a neighbor while innocently playing with friends in his neighborhood.
Authorities confirmed that Leon Gonzalo Jr., 42, was formally charged with murder in connection with the death of Julian Guzman, which occurred Saturday night, Aug. 30, 2026, in a residential community east of Houston.
Julián Guzmán played at ringing the doorbell
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Julian Guzman and a group of friends were participating in a common game among children: ringing doorbells and running away.
The prank included the residence of Gonzalo Jr. who, seconds later, came out armed and began shooting at the minors who were fleeing the scene.
One of the projectiles directly hit Julián, who fell wounded in the middle of the street.
Witnesses immediately called the emergency services.
The boy was rushed to a local hospital, but despite medical efforts, he died the following day, Sunday.
The research
Statements from neighbors and evidence collected at the crime scene allowed investigators to identify Gonzalo Jr. as the person responsible for the shooting.
The man was arrested and arraigned in court on Tuesday, September 2, where he faces the charge of murder, one of the most serious crimes under Texas law.
In cases such as this, a conviction could mean life imprisonment without parole, or even the death penalty, since Texas retains the death penalty for juvenile murders under aggravating circumstances.
GoFundMe opened for Julián Guzmán
Julian Guzman’s family shared a message of deep sorrow through the GoFundMe fundraising page, where they described the boy as loving, smiling and loved by everyone in his community.
“It is with immense sorrow in my heart that I share with you the loss of our son Julian,” the GoFundMe plea reads.
“He was just a kid, he wasn’t hurting anyone. We had our whole lives ahead of us,” the message adds.
“We will always love you. God wanted you as our protector in heaven, as you were here on earth.”
To conclude with a heartfelt message in English:
I WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU MY BOY. YOU’RE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
GoFundMe
Reactions in the community
The news has caused commotion in Houston, especially among the Hispanic community, which is demanding justice for Julian Guzman.
Community leaders have called for a review of access to firearms and increased security in neighborhoods where many immigrant families live together.
The case has also reopened the debate on the responsibility of gun owners in situations where the lives of minors are at risk.
Civil rights organizations point out that this is evidence of the urgency of revising gun laws in Texas, one of the most loosely regulated states in the country.
What’s next
Gonzalo Jr. remains in custody while the judicial process is underway.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the coming weeks, where the prosecution will present more evidence and may request that the defendant be held without bail due to the seriousness of the crime.
The murder of Julian Guzman has shaken the Harris County community and underscores the vulnerability of children in contexts where gun violence intersects with everyday life.
For the family, friends and neighbors, the loss is irreparable, and they are now waiting for the justice system to provide a clear and forceful response.
