11-Year-Old Pennsylvania Boy Allegedly Murders Father Over Nintendo Switch
All Over a Nintendo Switch
A Birthday Turned Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Pennsylvania Boy Allegedly Murders Father Over Nintendo Switch
Duncannon, Pennsylvania — What should have been a celebration of life turned into an unfathomable tragedy when 11-year-old Clayton Dietz allegedly shot and killed his father, Douglas Dietz, 42, in the early morning hours of January 13, 2026. The chilling detail that has captured national attention: the boy reportedly murdered his father after having his Nintendo Switch gaming console taken away as punishment.
The Fatal Night
According to court documents obtained by local news outlets, the tragedy unfolded around 3:20 a.m. at the family’s home on South Market Street in Duncannon Borough, Perry County. Douglas Dietz was found dead in his bed from a single gunshot wound to the head, his wife Jillian sleeping beside him.
The couple had gone to bed shortly after midnight, just after singing “Happy Birthday” to their adopted son Clayton, who was celebrating his 11th birthday. What started as a day of family celebration ended in horror when Jillian was awakened by what she initially thought was a loud bang and the smell of fireworks.
Court documents reveal the heartbreaking moment when she tried to rouse her husband, only to discover he wasn’t moving. When she turned on the light, she realized the dripping sound she heard wasn’t water—it was blood.
A Chilling Confession
Perhaps most disturbing are the details that emerged in the immediate aftermath. According to police reports, Clayton entered his parents’ bedroom and shouted, “Daddy’s dead.” Troopers at the scene reported hearing the boy tell his mother, “I killed Daddy.”
During questioning, Clayton allegedly admitted to the shooting, telling investigators, “I shot somebody.” Court documents state that he admitted “he had someone in mind whom he was going to shoot, whom he identified as his father.”
The boy reportedly told police he was angry when his father told him he needed to go to bed and had his Nintendo Switch taken away. In a confession that reveals the impulsive nature of a child’s mind, Clayton allegedly said he “was mad, and he had not thought about” what would happen when he fired the gun.
Access to Deadly Weapons
The investigation revealed troubling details about how the 11-year-old gained access to the murder weapon. Clayton told authorities he found keys to the family gun safe while searching for his confiscated Nintendo Switch, thinking the console might be stored inside. Instead, he found a revolver.
According to the affidavit, Clayton admitted to “removing the gun from the safe, loading bullets into it and walking over to his father’s side of the bed. He pulled back the hammer and fired the gun at his father.”
Douglas and Jillian Dietz had adopted Clayton in 2018, according to authorities. The family appeared to neighbors to be quiet and kept to themselves, making the tragedy even more shocking to the tight-knit community.
Community in Shock
The Susquenita School District released a statement expressing sympathy to the community, acknowledging that “events like this can affect our students” and making counselors available to provide support.
Neighbors expressed disbelief at the tragedy. Jesse Weldon, a lifelong Duncannon resident who lives just down the road, told reporters: “They’re very kind. 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.”
The case has sparked broader conversations about gun safety, children’s access to firearms, and the psychological factors that might drive a child to commit such an unthinkable act.
Legal Proceedings
Clayton Dietz has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held without bail at Perry County Prison. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for January 22, 2026. The case presents complex legal challenges, given the defendant’s age and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
When questioned about the physical evidence of potential struggle, investigators noted that Clayton had a “large contusion” above his left eye and a small laceration on his lower lip, though the circumstances of these injuries remain unclear.
Questions That Remain
This case raises numerous unanswered questions that continue to trouble investigators and the community. What warning signs, if any, existed before this tragedy? How does an 11-year-old child process the concept of death and permanent consequences? And perhaps most importantly, how can families and communities better recognize and address potential warning signs before it’s too late?
The tragedy also highlights critical issues surrounding gun storage and access in homes with children, as well as the psychological impacts of technology and gaming on developing minds.
As this case moves through the legal system, it serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be shattered and how seemingly minor disciplinary actions can escalate into unimaginable violence when combined with access to deadly weapons and potentially unaddressed psychological issues.
For the Dietz family and the Duncannon community, January 13, 2026, will forever be remembered not as a birthday celebration, but as the day when childhood innocence was lost in the most tragic way imaginable.
If you have any information about this case or similar incidents, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police. For support resources related to gun safety and child psychology, contact local mental health professionals or law enforcement agencies.