An 11-year-old boy named Clayton Dietz allegedly shot and killed his adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, on January 13, 2026, after his Nintendo Switch was taken away. The incident occurred early that morning, shortly after the family celebrated Clayton’s birthday.​
Incident Details
Police responded to a call about an unresponsive male at a home on South Market Street around 3:20 a.m., finding Douglas Dietz, 42, dead from a gunshot wound to the head while he slept. Jillian Dietz, the mother, woke to a loud noise she mistook for fireworks, then discovered blood and found Clayton in a closet saying “he’s dead” before he ran downstairs yelling about his father. Clayton admitted to police that he got angry when told to go to bed, found a key to the gun safe while searching for his console, loaded a revolver, and fired at his father without considering the consequences.​
Legal Proceedings
Clayton, adopted by the couple in 2018, faces criminal homicide charges and is being tried as an adult, held without bail. His next court date was scheduled for January 22, 2026, and he reportedly had visible injuries like a contusion above his eye. Authorities noted he confessed to having “someone in mind” when loading the gun.
