A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy has been left in a critical condition after being shot multiple times while playing a childhood prank.
The boy whose identity has not been released was playing ‘ding dong ditch’ in East Houston, Texas, on Saturday night when he was gunned down.
GettyA ten-year-old boy is in a critical condition after being shot multiple times while playing a childhood prank (stock)[/caption]
KHOU 11Cops say the incident took place around 11pm in the Clinton Park neighborhood[/caption]
The old-school game which has recently resurfaced on TikTok sees children run around the neighborhood knocking on doors and trying to run away before they’re caught by the person opening the door.
Houston Police said the boy was playing the prank with a group of friends just before 11pm in the Clinton Park neighborhood.
Lt. Amber Khan told OnScene TV that it was during this game that a person came out of a property and shot the boy.
He was taken to a local hospital by the Houston Fire Department suffering from “a couple” of gunshot wounds, Khan said.
“At this time, prayers are going out to the family of the child that’s been shot,” Khan added.
The shooter came forward to cops after officers encouraged the individual to come out of the property using a bullhorn, officers said.
Just before 6 am on Sunday, officers from the Houston Police Department were seen dropping someone back off at the property where the shooting took place, per ABC News affiliate KTRK-TV.
A spokesperson for the police department said that no charges have been filed but one person was “contained”, per the Houston Chronicle.
It is not known if there were any other injuries.
An investigation is ongoing.
DEADLY CONSEQUENCES
It comes just weeks after police in Frisco, 270 miles north of Houston, issued a warning about the childhood prank which has increased in popularity after it has been shared around as a “TikTok challenge”.
On July 28, a man shot at three teenagers who were playing the prank in his Sterling Ranch neighborhood.
While none of them were injured, Police Chief David Shilson warned parents about the concerning trend as homeowners defend their property.
58-year-old Damon Wolfe was arrested for shooting at the teens and has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault which could get him up to 20 years in prison.
“The homeowner went beyond defending his home. He ran out into the street, fired shots at a vehicle as it was coming his direction and as it had already passed him,” Chief Shilson said.
“There is a lot of risk where those bullets could go.
“Parents, please talk to your kids about the dangers of participating in these types of TikTok challenges.”
He called the situation “completely senseless and avoidable had better decisions been made by all involved.”
Back in May an 18-year-old high school football star was killed on prom night while playing the game.
Michael Bosworth Jr., 18, and two pals were taking part in a “ding-dong ditch” challenge in an unfamiliar area before his school prom in Virginia.
Homeowner Tyler Chase Butler, 27, was arrested on a murder charge and is in the Rappahannock Regional Jail until his preliminary hearing next month.
KHOU 11A suspect handed themselves over to officers, cops have confirmed[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
