HOUSTON – A prank that led to an 11-year-old boy being shot to death in Houston’s Eastside has left many questions unanswered.
INITIAL REPORT: Suspect detained after 11-year-old shot in back during ‘ding-dong ditch’ prank dies
KPRC 2 has reached out to the Houston Police Department throughout the day, and as of this writing, there is no word on whether the shooter has been charged after he was taken into custody and released on Monday.
During a news conference Monday night, detectives with HPD said they don’t believe this was a self-defense case; they believe it would warrant a murder charge.
This case has sparked a lot of conversation about the Castle Doctrine in Texas, which is a part of the state’s self-defense laws.
The Castle Doctrine in Texas lets you use force, even deadly force, if someone unlawfully enters your home, vehicle, or workplace.
- You don’t have to retreat if you’re somewhere you’re legally allowed to be.
- The law protects you if the intruder is committing crimes like burglary, robbery, or assault—but force must be reasonable.
- Protections don’t apply if you provoked the situation, were breaking the law, or used force against a lawful resident.
Police say the boy was playing a game of ding dong ditch with his friends on Mimbrough Street near Fidelity Street late Saturday night.
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The game is where someone rings a doorbell (or knocks) and runs away before anyone answers.
Police say the homeowner came out and shot the boy multiple times in the back.
Paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he died. We’re told the boy lives nearby, but it’s unclear if he knew the shooter.