Birthday Tragedy: 11-Year-Old’s Fatal Shot Fired Over Nintendo Switch Sparks Shocking Arrest

Ever wonder how a day meant for celebration—like a birthday—can twist into something so dark it almost defies comprehension? Well, buckle up, because this isn’t your average birthday mishap story. Clayton Dietz, an 11-year-old caught in the crosshairs of tragedy and bewilderment, now faces criminal homicide charges as an adult after allegedly shooting his adoptive father on the very day they were supposed to be celebrating. Picture this: a kid just looking for his confiscated Nintendo Switch stumbles upon the keys to a gun safe, unleashing a nightmare no one saw coming. And then there’s that haunting line he uttered at the scene: “I killed Daddy.” How does a moment of childhood frustration spiral so far off the rails? Sit tight, this one’s a stark reminder that life, and the tools we leave within reach, can change in a heartbeat. LEARN MORE

An 11-year-old, Clayton Dietz, is now charged as an adult with criminal homicide after allegedly shooting his 42-year-old adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, on his birthday. Police say Clayton found the keys to the gun safe while searching for his Nintendo Switch, which had been confiscated. Troopers at the scene heard him tell his mother, “I killed Daddy.”

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