An 11-year-old boy in Duncannon Borough, Perry County, Pennsylvania, is accused of shooting and killing his father after the child’s Nintendo Switch was taken away.
Police allege the boy shot his father, Douglas Dietz, 42, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to local outlet WGAL.
Court records reviewed by the outlet indicate the boy has been charged with criminal homicide. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, and he was denied bail.
Jillian Dietz, the victim’s wife, told investigators she woke up to the sound of a gunshot and noticed a strong, burning smell, WGAL reports. She said she tried to wake Douglas, then heard what sounded like dripping and realized he was bleeding heavily.
Authorities say the boy later entered the bedroom and shouted, “Daddy’s dead,” WGAL reports. Investigators at the scene also reportedly heard the child tell Jillian, “I killed Daddy,” according to the outlet. The boy was adopted by the couple in 2018, authorities confirmed to WGAL.
Investigators said the child told them he had enjoyed the day with his parents and that it was his birthday, WGAL reports. But when his father told him it was time for bed, he became angry, according to documents cited by the outlet.
The boy allegedly told police, “I shot somebody,” according to an affidavit referenced by WGAL. The documents also state he admitted he had intended to shoot someone and identified that person as his father.
In interviews, the child reportedly said he found a key to his father’s safe and opened it because he believed his Nintendo Switch was inside, WGAL reports. Instead, he found a revolver. The affidavit cited by the outlet alleges he removed the gun, loaded it, walked to his father’s side of the bed, pulled back the hammer, and fired.
Investigators told WGAL the boy later said he was angry and “had not thought about” whether the shot would kill his father.
In a later interview, Jillian Dietz said the boy told her, “I killed my dad. I hate myself,” according to KOMO News.
Documents cited by KOMO also noted the child had a “large contusion” above his left eye and a small cut near the center of his lower lip when police questioned him.
