An 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania has been charged with criminal homicide after authorities say he shot and killed his father at their home in Duncannon Borough on January 13.
According to court documents obtained and reported by WGAL News 8, police were called to the family’s residence around 3:20 a.m. after receiving a report of an “unresponsive male.” Officers found 42-year-old Douglas Dietz dead in bed with a gunshot wound to the head, the outlet reported.
Investigators said the man was found in the bedroom he shared with his wife. Court paperwork described the room as being connected to their son’s bedroom through a closet, WGAL News 8 reported.
After interviewing family members and reviewing the scene, police identified the victim’s 11-year-old son as the suspect, the station said. Troopers noted it was the child’s birthday, and he allegedly entered the bedroom yelling, “Daddy’s dead.” Officers also reported hearing the boy tell his mother, “I killed Daddy,” according to the outlet.
Police believe the shooting happened after the parents went to bed shortly after midnight. The child reportedly told investigators he had enjoyed the day with his parents, but became angry after his father told him it was time to go to sleep, according to the documents cited by WGAL News 8.
The affidavit referenced by the outlet says that when officers asked the boy what happened, he replied: “I shot somebody.” Investigators also wrote that the boy admitted he had a specific person in mind and identified that person as his father, according to the same report.
Authorities said the boy told police he found a key to a gun safe inside his father’s drawer in his parents’ bedroom. He allegedly used the key while looking for his Nintendo Switch, which had previously been taken from him, and then located a firearm inside the safe, WGAL News 8 reported.
The boy allegedly told investigators he removed the gun, loaded it, walked to his father’s side of the bed, pulled back the hammer, and fired one shot, according to the affidavit quoted by the outlet. When asked what he thought would happen after he pulled the trigger, police said the child responded that he was angry and “had not thought about that.”
WGAL News 8 reported that the child was taken into custody and denied bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for January 22.
