New details have emerged following the tragic shooting death of 11-year-old Julian Guzman in Houston, as the man accused of killing him made his first court appearance.
On Wednesday, September 3, Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, appeared before Judge Emily Detoto of the 177th District Court, according to ABC News. Leon is accused of fatally shooting Guzman in the back on Saturday, August 30, after the boy and his cousin knocked on Leon’s door and ran away in a game of “ding dong ditch.”
The pre-teen was rushed to a local hospital but died from his injuries the following day. Judge Detoto set Leon’s bond at $1 million, noting that he could face “more serious charges” as the investigation develops, including the possibility of capital murder. The boy's family has launched a GoFundMe, which has reached $29,100 of its $30,000 goal.
Under Texas law, capital murder applies when a person kills someone between the ages of 10 and 15. Convictions can carry life in prison without parole or even the death penalty. Assistant District Attorney John Brewer said prosecutors are still reviewing evidence and could upgrade the charges.
“There’s always an opportunity to upgrade a case if the evidence warrants it,” Brewer said in court.
Prosecutors revealed that new video evidence was recovered from Guzman’s phone, showing that he and his cousin were recording the prank at the time of the shooting. According to KHOU 11, Leon allegedly fired twice after the boys knocked three times on his door; first a “warning shot” toward the ground, followed by a second shot that struck Guzman in the back.
The criminal complaint also states that after Guzman collapsed and begged for help, Leon “slowly walk[ed] back to the blue house.”
Defense attorney Gianpaolo Macerola questioned whether the video proved Leon acted with “clear intent to kill,” signaling a key issue likely to be debated at trial.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare described the case as devastating for both families.
“When you have an 11-year-old shot in the back and murdered, I think it’s an appropriate bond,” Teare said. “One lost a little boy before he even got to start his life; another has a father and husband facing life in prison [because] of one angry act.”
Police later searched Leon’s home and discovered at least 20 firearms stored in a closet near the front door, according to a criminal complaint. Authorities confirmed he was arrested on Sept. 1 and booked into Harris County Jail the following day.
Leon is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 11 and will likely face a grand jury. For now, he remains held on murder charges as prosecutors weigh whether to pursue capital murder.