A shocking family tragedy unfolded in Pennsylvania, USA, where an 11-year-old boy has been charged with the homicide of his own father. The incident, which sent ripples through the local community, reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a video game console.
A Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic
The events transpired in the early hours of Tuesday, January 13. Douglas Dietz, 42, was found deceased in his home on South Market Street with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities from the Pennsylvania State Police were called to the scene around 3:20 a.m. after receiving reports of an unresponsive male.
In a heartbreaking detail, police confirmed that the shooting occurred on the suspect's birthday, mere hours after his parents had sung "Happy Birthday" to him. The suspect, identified as the victim's 11-year-old son, Clayton, was adopted by Douglas and his wife in 2018.
The Unfolding of a Fatal Night
According to official documents obtained by local news outlet WGAL News 8, the sequence of events began with a parental disciplinary action. Clayton's father had taken away his Nintendo Switch. The boy later told investigators he became "mad" when his father told him to go to bed.
The affidavit states that Clayton then located a key to his father's drawer, which he used to unlock a safe. He was reportedly searching for his confiscated Nintendo Switch but instead found a firearm. Clayton loaded the weapon with bullets and walked to his father's side of the bed, where he fired a single shot.
Douglas's wife, whose name has not been released, told police she was awakened by a loud noise that smelled like fireworks. After attempting to nudge her unresponsive husband, she heard what she thought was dripping water. Upon turning on the lights, she discovered it was blood.
Arrest, Charges, and Community Shock
Police reported that Clayton entered his parents' bedroom shouting, "Daddy's dead." Officers at the scene also heard the young boy tell his mother, "I killed Daddy." When questioned by authorities, Clayton admitted, "I shot somebody," and identified his father as the intended target.
The 11-year-old was immediately taken into custody and formally charged with criminal homicide. He was denied bail and is currently being held at Perry County Prison, with a hearing scheduled for January 22. Police noted that while Clayton's mother knew a gun was in the bedroom, she was unaware of where the key to the drawer was kept.
Neighbors in the close-knit community expressed profound shock, describing the Dietz family as "nice" and "kind." The case has raised serious questions about firearm accessibility and juvenile responses to conflict.
