A late-night prank in Houston has ended in tragedy after an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed while playing the doorbell-ringing game known as “ding-dong-ditch.”
Police say the child was struck in the back by gunfire after he and friends knocked on a door and ran away. The boy collapsed nearby and later died at the hospital.
Investigators confirm the man who fired the shots was briefly detained but has since been released. Detectives now say the case does not appear to be self-defense, and they are gathering evidence to present to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges.
Neighbors describe the incident as heartbreaking and unnecessary, pointing out that “ding-dong-ditch” is a common, if sometimes irritating, childhood prank. Houston police are urging patience as they complete their investigation, while the community mourns the loss of a boy whose life ended over a childish game.
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