State Police in Perry County, Pennsylvania, are investigating a tragic shooting that resulted in the death of 42-year-old Douglas Dietz. Authorities were dispatched to the Dietz home in Duncannon during the early hours of Tuesday morning, where they found Douglas deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
A juvenile, identified as 11-year-old Clayton Dietz, has been implicated in the incident. He was taken into custody without incident, according to Perry County District Attorney F. Clay Merris. Court documents reveal that Clayton has been charged with criminal homicide, and a preliminary hearing is set for January 22.
The incident unfolded around 3 a.m. on South Market Street. Police reports indicate that Douglas was found lying in bed with a gunshot wound to the head. A revolver was discovered on the floor of a closet connecting the parents’ bedroom to Clayton’s. His mother, Jillian Dietz, informed police that she believed her son was responsible for the shooting. She recalled being awakened by a loud bang and noticed a smell similar to discharged fireworks. When she turned on the light, she realized the sound was caused by her husband’s blood.
In a distressing moment, Clayton reportedly entered the room through the closet and exclaimed, “Daddy’s dead.” During an interview with police officers, he allegedly confessed, stating, “I killed Daddy.” He recounted searching for his Nintendo Switch and finding the keys to his father’s gun safe. Believing the device might be inside, he accessed the safe, retrieved the revolver, and subsequently shot his father.
The criminal complaint also notes that during the questioning, Clayton displayed signs of injury, including a bloody lip and a contusion over his left eye. He reflected on the prior day, describing it as a good day with his parents but admitted feeling angry when told to go to bed. While recounting the events, Clayton expressed a lack of understanding of the consequences of his actions at the moment he pulled the trigger.
In Pennsylvania, cases involving juveniles aged 10 and older charged with murder are initiated in adult court, although attorneys may seek to transfer cases to juvenile court for a focus on rehabilitation. This heartbreaking event raises significant questions about gun safety and the responsibilities inherent in firearms ownership, particularly in households with children.