An 11-year-old boy has appeared before a court in Pennsylvania, United States, after being charged as an adult with criminal homicide for allegedly shooting his adoptive father earlier this year.
Clayton Dietz was escorted into court by probation officers on Thursday, February 19, for his preliminary hearing. He is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old Douglas Dietz on January 13 at their home in Duncannon Borough.
According to prosecutors, the boy allegedly shot his stepfather in the head while he was asleep. Court documents state that investigators believe Clayton retrieved a firearm from a safe located in his parents’ bedroom. Authorities allege the incident occurred after the child became upset when his Nintendo Switch was taken away.
An affidavit claims Clayton entered his parents’ bedroom thinking the safe contained his gaming console but instead discovered a revolver.
In court filings, the boy’s mother, Jillian, reportedly told police she was awakened by a loud sound and initially thought it was fireworks. When she tried to wake her husband and he did not respond, she noticed a liquid dripping onto the floor, which she later realized was blood.
Police further allege that the child ran into the room shouting that his father was dead. Officers at the scene reportedly heard him say, “I killed Daddy.”
Despite his age, Clayton has been charged as an adult — a decision that has sparked attention. His defense attorneys have asked the court to transfer the case to juvenile court. Speaking to local outlet CBS 21 after the hearing, his lawyer said the defense intends to pursue having the case handled within the juvenile justice system.
The case is ongoing as the court decides whether it will proceed in adult criminal court or be moved to juvenile proceedings.
