A ten-year-old Texas boy was shot and critically injured when he allegedly tried a door-knocking prank on a neighbor, police mentioned.
The taking pictures unfolded round 10:55 p.m. on Saturday at a house on Membrough Avenue in southeast Houston, Shay Awosiyan, a spokesman for the Houston Police Division, advised ABC Information on Sunday.
“A ten-year-old was apparently knocking on neighbors’ doorways and operating away when somebody apparently fired pictures,” Awosiyan mentioned.
Awosiyan mentioned one individual was detained on the scene of the taking pictures and was being questioned, however no prices have been filed.
A ten-year-old boy was shot and critically injured in Houston, Texas, August 30, 2025, after allegedly banging on a neighbor’s door in what police imagine was a part of a trending social media prank often called the “Door Kicking Problem,” authorities mentioned.
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The injured youngster, who was out committing the prank with buddies, was handled on the scene by the Houston Fireplace Division and brought to a close-by hospital, the place he was in essential situation on Sunday afternoon, Awosiyan mentioned.
The investigation continued on Sunday, however police launched no extra particulars.
The prank allegedly dedicated in Houston is just like what’s being dubbed the “Door Kicking Problem,” a nationwide pattern based mostly on an previous prank known as “Ding Dong Ditch,” during which teams of children file movies of themselves kicking and banging on doorways of houses and flats earlier than operating away after which posting the movies on social media platforms reminiscent of TikTok.
In July, a 58-year-old Texas house owner was arrested and charged with aggravated assault when he allegedly fired a number of rounds at a automobile fleeing his residence after somebody banging on the entrance door in Frisco, Texas, in response to an announcement from the Frisco Police Division.
The motive force of the automobile that was shot at round 10:50 p.m. on July 28 and two passengers contacted police to file a criticism, exhibiting officers three bullet holes within the automobile, in response to police.
“Nevertheless, throughout subsequent interviews, all admitted to ding, dong, ditching in a random neighborhood once they have been confronted by a male with a firearm,” the Frisco police mentioned in a assertion.
In June, police in Chandler, Arizona, launched video footage of a gaggle of juveniles committing the “Door Kicking Problem,” alleging the group pulled the prank on the identical residence not less than 18 instances, prompting the house owner to maneuver out.
“Let’s be clear: These ‘pranks’ can have critical penalties and result in prices reminiscent of prison injury, disorderly conduct, or harassment,” the Chandler Police Division mentioned in a message to folks in the neighborhood. “Mother and father — please take a second to speak together with your kids. Know the place they’re, who they’re with, and what they’re doing.”
Police in Fort Price, Texas, posted an identical group message in Could after receiving greater than 20 complaints of younger individuals committing the “Door Kicking Problem.”
“It may be mistaken as an tried break-in, doubtlessly prompting harmful or defensive responses from owners…,’ the Fort Price Police Division mentioned in an announcement. “What might seem to be a prank may end up in very actual hassle and/or hazard.”