In a heartbreaking incident that shook the small town of Duncannon, Pennsylvania, an 11-year-old boy named Clayton Dietz has been charged with criminal homicide following the death of his adoptive father, Douglas Dietz. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of January 13, where authorities discovered Douglas Dietz with a fatal gunshot wound to the head in the family's South Market Street residence.
Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene after being dispatched shortly after 3:20 a.m. They found the victim unresponsive in the bedroom he shared with his wife, Jillian Dietz, who was awakened by a loud noise reminiscent of fireworks. Upon turning on the lights, the horrific scene was revealed. Moments after the discovery, Clayton entered the room, acknowledging his father's death with the chilling words, "I killed Daddy."
According to court documents, tensions rose after Clayton was instructed to go to bed, a situation exacerbated by a Nintendo Switch gaming console that had been previously confiscated. In a search for the gaming console, Clayton found a key to the family's gun safe. Investigators allege that he removed a firearm, loaded it, and approached his father's side of the bed before firing a single shot.
Clayton, who celebrated his 11th birthday just hours before the incident, was arrested and is held without bail at Perry County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 22. The Dietz family had adopted Clayton in 2018, and in recent months, the parents reportedly sought assistance from the child's school for his behavioral problems, which included aggression and emotional outbursts. School officials, however, determined that he did not qualify for additional services.
The incident has intensified discussions about juvenile accountability, mental health support, and firearm access in homes. Clayton's autism has been highlighted as a contributing factor, prompting a broader conversation on the availability of behavioral health resources for families in crisis.
Neighbors recall the Dietz family as reserved and pleasant, expressing shock over the violent event. The Susquenita School District has since offered counseling and psychological support to students impacted by the incident. As legal proceedings continue, the case becomes a stark reminder of the potential consequences when family conflicts escalate in the presence of accessible lethal weapons.
