22.02.2026 09:40
In Pennsylvania, USA, 11-year-old Clayton Dietz shot and killed his adoptive father while he was sleeping after having his gaming console taken away on his birthday night; the child will be tried as an adult.
In Duncannon, Pennsylvania, 11-year-old Clayton Dietz shot and killed his adoptive father, 42-year-old Douglas Dietz, on the night of January 13. The incident occurred on Clayton's birthday and began with an argument after his father took away his Nintendo Switch gaming console, according to court documents.
SHOT HIM IN THE HEAD WHILE SLEEPING
According to investigation records, Douglas and his wife told Clayton it was "bedtime" after his birthday celebration and locked away the Nintendo Switch. While searching for his father's belongings, Clayton found the key to the gun safe, opened it, and shot his father in the head while he was sleeping with the gun he activated.
"I KILLED MY DAD"
When police arrived at the house around 3:20 AM following a report, they found Douglas Dietz dead in his bed from a gunshot wound to the head. It was reported that Clayton shouted, "Dad is dead," and told his mother, "I killed my dad."
WILL BE TRIED AS AN ADULT
Court documents state that Clayton expressed he was angry and did not think about the consequences at the moment he pulled the trigger. The child will be tried as an adult for the charge of "criminal homicide," and bail has been denied; he is being held at the Perry County Jail.