New Details Emerge in 'Ding-Dong Ditch' Killing of 11-Year-Old Texas Boy as Suspect Appears in Court By Michael Nied

New details are emerging about the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Julian Guzman after suspect Gonzalo Leon Jr. had his first hearing in court.

Leon appeared in front of Judge Emily Detoto of the 177th District Court in Houston on Wednesday, Sept. 3, according to ABC News and KHOU 11.

The 42-year-old suspect is accused of fatally shooting Guzman in the back on Saturday, Aug. 30, after he and his cousin knocked on the door of his home in Houston and ran away. The pre-teen died in the hospital the following day.

During the hearing, Detoto set a $1 million bond, with ABC reporting that Detoto referenced the possibility that Leon could face “more serious charges” as the investigation continues to unfold. That includes the possibility of him being charged with capital murder.

According to the Texas penal code, capital murder, a type of criminal homicide, can apply in a case when “the person murders an individual 10 years of age or older but younger than 15 years of age.” Chapter 12 of the code states that a person convicted of a capital felony faces life in prison without the opportunity for parole or the death penalty.

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During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney John Brewer addressed the presentation of “new evidence” that was gathered, including a video found on Guzman’s phone, according to KHOU 11. He and his cousin were reportedly filming the prank at the time that the shooting occurred.

The outlet reported that there were “limits of some evidence,” which Brewer acknowledged in court. For instance, Leon’s court-appointed attorney, Gianpaolo Macerola, questioned if the video was evidence that the suspect shot with a “clear intent to kill.”

Per ABC, Guzman’s cousin also spoke with investigators, telling them that they had been “bored and wanted to ring doorbells, or play ‘ding dong ditch,’ ” citing a criminal complaint viewed by the outlet.

After Guzman was shot, his cousin said that he was “asking for help, believing his legs were paralyzed.” As he called out for help, he said that Leon “slowly walk[ed] back to the blue house.”

According to reporting by KHOU 11, police allege that Leon fired two shots after Guzman and his cousin knocked on his door three times.

The first shot was directed at the ground; however, after the “warning shot,” a second shot hit Guzman in the back.

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Discussing the possibility of more serious charges while in court, Brewer said, “There’s always an opportunity to upgrade a case if the evidence warrants it,” per KHOU 11.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare described the case as “brutal,” saying, “When you have an 11-year-old shot in the back and murdered, I think it’s an appropriate bond.”

Commenting on the tragic nature of the case, Teare said, “One lost a little boy before he even got to start his life; another has a father and husband facing life in prison [because] of one angry act,” per KHOU 11.

ABC reported that “at least 20 firearms” were found at Leon’s home by police after an investigation. They were found in “a small closet on the left side of the residence right next to the front door,” according to a criminal complaint.

In a release shared by the City of Houston on Sunday, Aug. 31, it was confirmed that police responded to the scene of the crime after receiving a call about a shooting.

“Officers were told the male was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away. A witness stated the male was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound,” the report read.

It continued: “Officers detained one person at the scene for questioning. That individual was questioned and released. Detectives are gathering more information as the investigation continues.”

An updated statement from the Houston Police Department confirmed that Leon was arrested and charged with murder on Monday, Sept. 1. He was taken into custody and moved to the Harris County Jail the following day.

Leon will return to court on Oct. 11, according to KHOU 11. He is likely to face a grand jury trial.

PEOPLE contacted the offices of Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, the Houston Police Department, the 177th District Court in Houston and Leon’s court-appointed attorney Gianpaolo Macerola, but they did not immediately respond.