Boy, 11, Fatally Shot After Doorbell Prank in Houston
An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed late Saturday night in Houston after taking part in a common prank known as “doorbell ditch,” where children ring a doorbell and run away. According to local authorities, the incident occurred just before midnight on Racine Street. Emergency responders arrived to find the boy with multiple gunshot wounds; he died the following day at a hospital, NBC News reports.
Witnesses say the child was among a group of kids playing the prank in the neighborhood when someone reportedly chased after them and opened fire. The boy was shot several times, including in the back, according to KHOU and KPRC.
A middle-aged man was initially detained for questioning but was later released. However, police say criminal charges may still be forthcoming. Houston Police homicide detective Sgt. Michael Cass told CNN that a murder charge is likely and noted that the shooting did not take place near the suspect’s home, weakening any potential self-defense claim. “A witness says someone ran out of that house and was shooting at the kids running down the street,” Cass said.
Authorities have confiscated several firearms, including rifles and handguns, from the suspect’s residence.
This incident follows a similar tragedy earlier this year in Virginia, where a teenager was fatally shot while filming a “doorbell ditch” video for TikTok. The suspect in that case was charged with second-degree murder.
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