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Pennsylvania Boy, 11, Charged With Killing Father After Nintendo Switch Was Taken

The child is held without bail ahead of a Jan. 22 preliminary hearing, according to court records.

Overview

  • Police say they found Douglas Dietz, 42, dead from a gunshot wound in his Duncannon home after a 3:20 a.m. call on Jan. 13.
  • According to an affidavit, the boy said he located a key to a gun safe while searching for his confiscated Nintendo Switch, then removed a revolver, loaded it, and fired at his father in bed.
  • Investigators report the boy told them, "I shot somebody," and responding officers heard him say to his mother, "I killed Daddy"; he later said he was mad and had not thought about the outcome.
  • Court documents say the mother woke to a loud noise and a fireworks-like smell, then discovered her husband bleeding in the master bedroom, which connects to the child’s room via a closet.
  • The incident occurred on the boy’s birthday; he is identified as Clayton Dietz, was adopted in 2018, and is being held at Perry County Prison pending the hearing.