An 11-year-old boy is facing homicide charges after allegedly shooting and killing his adoptive father while he slept, following a dispute over a Nintendo Switch, according to Pennsylvania police and court documents.
Authorities say Douglas Dietz, 42, was shot in the head early Tuesday morning inside his home in the borough of Duncannon.
The incident occurred just hours after the family celebrated the boy’s birthday.
Police were dispatched to the residence on South Market Street at approximately 3:20 a.m., where they found Dietz dead in his bedroom.
Wife Awakened by Noise, Discovered Blood
Dietz’s wife told investigators she had been sleeping beside her husband when she was awakened by a loud noise.
She said she then heard liquid dripping and, after turning on the light, realized it was blood.
She also reported smelling a strong odor “like fireworks,” which police said is consistent with a recently fired gun.
According to investigators, the parents’ bedroom was connected to the boy’s bedroom through a shared closet.
The boy, identified as Clayton Dietz, allegedly entered the room and told his mother, “Daddy’s dead.”
Police also reported that the child later said, “I killed Daddy.”
Police Say Boy Admitted to Shooting
During questioning, police said the boy admitted to the shooting.
According to the police report, he told investigators that although the family had enjoyed his birthday celebration, he became angry when his father told him to go to bed.
“He admitted that he had someone in mind whom he was going to shoot, whom he identified as his father,” police wrote.
The boy allegedly told police he found the key to the family’s gun safe while searching for his Nintendo Switch, which had previously been taken away.
He then opened the safe, removed the firearm, and walked into his parents’ bedroom.
“He pulled back the hammer and fired the gun at his father,” police said.
Neighbor Describes Family as “Very Kind”
A neighbor, Jesse Weldon, told WGAL-TV that the incident left the community stunned.
“They’re very kind,” Weldon said.
“I mean, I didn’t talk to them much.
“They, you know, kept to themselves over there and just seemed pretty nice.
“I didn’t expect this,” he added.
WATCH:
Child Held Without Bail
Clayton Dietz was booked into Perry County Prison, where he is being held without bail, according to authorities.
Court records show the couple adopted the boy in 2018, when he was approximately three years old.
The case has raised renewed questions about firearm storage, parental discipline, and juvenile criminal responsibility as the investigation continues.
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