An 11-year-old in Duncannon Borough, Pennsylvania, is charged with criminal homicide after authorities say he fatally shot his 42-year-old father, Douglas Dietz, on Jan. 13. Court records and local reporting indicate the boy allegedly found a revolver in his father’s safe after the Nintendo Switch was confiscated, loaded the weapon and fired. The child—who was adopted in 2018—is being held without bail and has a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 22; the investigation is ongoing.
11-Year-Old Charged After Allegedly Shooting Father Over Confiscated Nintendo Switch
CBS 21 News/YoutubePA boy had Nintendo Switch taken away before shooting father
An 11-year-old boy in Duncannon Borough, Perry County, Pennsylvania, has been charged with criminal homicide after authorities say he shot and killed his 42-year-old father, Douglas Dietz, on Jan. 13. Local reporting and court records reviewed by PEOPLE, WGAL and KOMO provide details of the incident and the ongoing investigation.
What Happened
According to court documents cited by WGAL, the child allegedly used a key to his father's safe expecting to find a Nintendo Switch after the console was confiscated. Investigators say he instead found a revolver, removed it, loaded ammunition, returned to his father’s bedside, pulled back the hammer and fired. Douglas Dietz was later found bleeding heavily; his wife, Jillian, told police she had been awakened by a loud noise and noticed a burning odor in the home.
Statements and Evidence
Affidavits and witness accounts quoted by local outlets report the boy saying, "I shot somebody," and later telling family members, "I killed my dad." Court records also note the child said he was "mad" after being told to go to bed and that the day in question was his birthday. Documents show the child was adopted by Douglas and Jillian Dietz in 2018.
When questioned by police, the boy was observed to have a "large contusion" above his left eye and a small laceration near his lower lip, according to KOMO. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, and the child is being held without bail. PEOPLE reports that Pennsylvania State Police and an attorney for the boy were contacted for comment.
Legal Status and Next Steps
The boy has been formally charged with criminal homicide. Because the defendant is a minor, certain records or proceedings may be limited or sealed under juvenile protection rules. The investigation remains active, and law enforcement has not announced additional charges as of the latest reports.
Note: These are initial allegations based on court documents and local reporting; they have not been proven in court.
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