Douglas Dietz dies in fatal Perry County, Pennsylvania shooting

Douglas Dietz dies in fatal Perry County, Pennsylvania shooting
Fatal Perry County, Pennsylvania shooting death of Douglas Dietz – Obituary

Douglas Dietz, 42, was shot and killed inside his home in Duncannon Borough, Perry County, during the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 13. Douglas Dietz was pronounced dead after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Authorities said officers were dispatched to a residence on South Market Street around 3:20 a.m. following a report of an unresponsive man. When police entered the home, they found Dietz deceased in his bed in the bedroom he shared with his wife.

Investigators later determined that Dietz’s 11-year-old son, Clayton Dietz, was responsible for the shooting. Court documents state that the child entered the bedroom after the incident and told his mother that his father was dead, later admitting to police that he had shot him.

According to the affidavit, Dietz’s wife said she was asleep when she heard a loud noise and noticed an odor similar to fireworks. After attempting to wake her husband and realizing he was unresponsive, she turned on the light and discovered blood in the room.

Police said the family owned a firearm that was stored in a locked safe in the bedroom. Investigators allege the child found the key in his father’s drawer, opened the safe, loaded the gun, and fired it while his father was asleep. Authorities said the child told investigators he was angry after being told to go to bed and after his Nintendo Switch had been taken away.

State police confirmed that Clayton Dietz was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide. He was denied bail and is being held at the Perry County Prison, with a court hearing scheduled for January 22.

The incident has left the Duncannon community shaken. Local officials and the Susquenita School District said counseling services are being made available to students and families affected by the tragedy.