11-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead While Playing ‘Ding Dong Ditch’ Prank in Houston

An 11-year-old boy has died after being shot while playing a doorbell prank in Houston, in what police say is the latest tragic case linked to a dangerous TikTok trend.

The child and his friends were playing “ding dong ditch” at a home on Racine Street shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday when someone inside the residence came out and opened fire, striking the boy as he ran away. Witnesses said he collapsed after being shot. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Sunday.

Authorities surrounded the home that night, using a bullhorn to order the suspected shooter to come out with their hands up. One person was detained for questioning early Sunday morning and again later that night, though no formal charges have been filed yet.

Houston Police confirmed the investigation remains active, with homicide detectives reviewing surveillance video and working with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators said the circumstances suggest the shooting does not appear to be self-defense since the child was not near the house when he was hit. Officials indicated a murder charge is likely.

Neighbors expressed heartbreak over the killing. George Skinner, 70, who has lived in the area most of his life, said the tragedy shook the community. “Me and a couple of my neighbors, we just were real sad that something like that actually happened to a child,” he said. “Ten years old, you got a long ways to go.”

The incident comes amid growing concerns about “ding dong ditching,” a decades-old prank that has resurfaced on TikTok as part of viral challenges. Videos often encourage teens to knock, pound, or kick at front doors before running away.

Authorities across the country have linked the trend to violent confrontations. In May, an 18-year-old in Virginia was shot and killed while recording a prank for TikTok. In 2020, three teenagers in California died after a man rammed their vehicle in retaliation for a similar prank. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned parents and teens that what may seem like harmless fun can quickly turn deadly.