January 13, 2025, midnight. Douglas and Jillian Dietz sang "Happy Birthday" to their son Clayton, who had just turned 11. They told him to go to bed. Clayton got mad—his Nintendo Switch had been confiscated. At 3:00 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police received a 911 call about a gunshot victim at the family's Duncannon duplex. Douglas Dietz, 42, was dead in his bed with a gunshot wound to the head. Their son Clayton was in the kitchen, and a state trooper heard him say: "I killed Daddy."

Clayton had been searching for his confiscated Nintendo Switch when he found keys to the gun safe in his father's drawer. Thinking the console might be inside, he opened it and found a revolver instead. Court documents state Clayton loaded the gun, pulled back the hammer, and walked into his parents' bedroom through a connecting closet. Douglas was asleep next to Jillian when Clayton fired, shooting his father in the head.

Jillian woke to a loud bang and smell like fireworks. She tried to wake Douglas but realized he wasn't responding, then saw blood dripping onto the bed. Clayton appeared in the closet saying "He's dead" before running downstairs yelling "My dad's dead." When asked what he thought would happen when he fired the gun, Clayton told investigators he was mad and hadn't thought about the consequences. Court documents state he admitted "he had someone in mind who he was going to shoot." Jillian later heard Clayton yell: "I killed my dad. I hate myself."

Douglas and Jillian had adopted Clayton in 2018 when he was 7 years old. Clayton was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. In Pennsylvania, homicide charges automatically begin in adult criminal court, even for children as young as 11. The defense must request a hearing to transfer the case to juvenile court and prove the child would benefit from rehabilitation. If convicted in adult court, Clayton could face life in prison.

Clayton's bail was denied January 13, 2025. He was held at Perry County Prison. On February 19, 2025, Clayton appeared in court handcuffed and in shackles. His mother Jillian sat next to him. Videos show Clayton tripping as he entered, telling his mother his handcuffs were hurting. He waived his preliminary hearing. Defense attorney Dave Wilson said his goal is to get Clayton into juvenile court. Next court appearance expected in May.

FAIR USE DISCLAIMER:This video is created for educational and commentary purposes under Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107). All footage, images, and audio clips are used solely for transformative critique, analysis, and public interest reporting. We do not own the rights to any copyrighted materials shown. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

⚠️ Contains discussion of a child perpetrator and fatal shooting. Viewer discretion is advised.

🔔 Subscribe to Beyond Guilty👍 Like to support our research💬 Should children under 12 ever be tried as adults? Comment below

Clayton Dietz, Douglas Dietz, Duncannon Pennsylvania, Perry County, child homicide, juvenile justice, tried as adult, Nintendo Switch, 11 year old, true crime 2025, Beyond Guilty