Clayton W. Dietz** and the fatal shooting of his father, **42-year-old Douglas Dietz**, based on *confirmed news reporting and court records*:On the early morning of **January 13, 2026**, **Clayton W. Dietz**, an **11-year-old boy from Duncannon Borough in Perry County, Pennsylvania**, was taken into custody and charged with **criminal homicide** after his father, **42-year-old Douglas Dietz**, was found **fatally shot inside their family home
According to court documents and police reports, the deadly shooting occurred around **3:20 a.m.** when officers were called to the residence on South Market Street for a report of a shooting. Investigators found Douglas lying in bed with a **gunshot wound to the head**, and Mrs. Jillian Dietz, Douglas’ wife and Clayton’s mother, awakened by a loud noise and initially mistook it for fireworks before discovering signs of her husband’s injury.
Court records reveal that the incident took place on **Clayton’s 11th birthday**, a day that began joyfully with his parents singing “Happy Birthday” after midnight. Later in the night, **frustration reportedly built up** during a routine bedtime dispute when Douglas told his son it was time to go to sleep.
Clayton later told authorities that he became angry and **“got mad,”** an emotion that preceded the tragedy.While searching for his **Nintendo Switch console**, which had been taken away, Clayton located a key to a **gun safe** in his father’s drawer. Inside the safe, he found both the console and a **revolver**. According to court documents, Clayton **loaded the firearm,
walked back to his father’s side of the bed, and fired a single shot**. When questioned later by police, the boy admitted to pulling the trigger and said he had not considered the consequences because of his anger. After the shooting, Clayton reportedly ran downstairs crying that **“Daddy’s dead”** and allegedly told his mother and a responding trooper, **“I killed Daddy.”
Clayton has been **charged as an adult under Pennsylvania law** and is being held without bail at Perry County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for **January 22, 2026* If you’d like, I can also provide a **summary of how authorities are handling the juvenile’s case under Pennsylvania law** or explain what this case may mean for discussions about **gun access and youth behavior**.
