10-year-old critically injured in Houston shooting after alleged door-knocking prank; homeowner detained

A 10-year-old boy was shot and critically injured late Saturday in southeast Houston after allegedly participating in a door-knocking prank, and one person was detained as police investigate.

A 10-year-old boy remained in critical condition Sunday after he was shot late Saturday night in southeast Houston, the Houston Police Department said. The shooting took place about 10:55 p.m. on Membrough Street, and investigators believe the child had been knocking on neighbors' doors and running away as part of a trending social media prank, police said.

"A 10-year-old was apparently knocking on neighbors' doors and running away when someone apparently fired shots," Houston police spokesman Shay Awosiyan told ABC News on Sunday. The child was with friends when the incident occurred, according to police. He was treated at the scene by the Houston Fire Department and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

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Investigators detained one person at the scene and were questioning that individual Sunday afternoon, but no charges had been filed, Awosiyan said. Police released few other details as the investigation continued, and officials did not immediately identify the detained person or provide information on any witnesses or the weapon used.

Harris County Emergency Medical Services and the Houston Fire Department responded to the scene, and the child was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Police did not release the name of the victim because of his age and the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The shooting drew attention to a string of social media-driven pranks and challenges that have circulated online in recent months and years, some of which have led to confrontations and injuries. Authorities in Houston indicated they were examining whether the door-knocking incident was connected to such an online trend often described by officials as the "door-kicking" or "door-knocking" challenge.

Investigators noted that several juveniles sometimes participate in door-knocking pranks by knocking on a residence's door and then running away, an action that can provoke alarm among residents. Police cautioned that details were still being developed and that linkage to any particular social media trend had not been definitively established beyond initial indications.

Awosiyan said the department's investigation was ongoing Sunday evening. "We are still gathering evidence and speaking with people who were in the area," he told ABC News. Police asked anyone with information or video of the incident to contact investigators.

The shooting occurred as communities and law enforcement agencies across the country continue to grapple with the influence of social media trends on juvenile behavior and public safety. Officials have in previous instances urged parents and guardians to monitor children's online activity and to speak with minors about the potential consequences of participating in hazardous online challenges or pranks.

Local authorities did not release information on whether the homeowner who fired the shot — if determined to be the shooter — would face criminal charges. Prosecutors generally weigh a range of factors in such cases, including whether a homeowner reasonably believed they or others were in imminent danger, local self-defense statutes, and the totality of circumstances. Houston police and Harris County prosecutors often coordinate as investigations progress to determine whether charges are warranted.

Neighbors in southeast Houston described a neighborhood shaken by the late-night shooting and expressed concern for the injured child. Community members said they hoped the boy would recover and that the investigation would clarify the circumstances that led to the shooting.

City officials have previously emphasized outreach and education as part of efforts to reduce juvenile involvement in risky behavior linked to social media. Nonprofit organizations and school officials in Houston and elsewhere have conducted programs aimed at informing students and parents about the dangers of participating in viral challenges that involve trespassing, harassment, or activities that could provoke violent responses.

The incident adds to a series of episodes nationwide where pranks and viral internet challenges have escalated into violence or legal consequences. Law enforcement agencies often advise residents to lock doors, report suspicious activity, and avoid confrontations when encountering pranksters, while also urging parents to discuss safety and legal ramifications with children who may be tempted to take part in online trends.

As the Houston investigation continued, police reiterated that the case remained active and that details could change as more information was obtained. Authorities asked anyone with relevant footage or information to contact the Houston Police Department's non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers, saying tips could assist in clarifying the sequence of events and the identities of those involved.

The boy's family had not issued a public statement Sunday, and hospital officials did not provide updates on his condition beyond confirming he remained in critical condition. Police said they would release additional information as the investigation allowed.