11-year-old boy confesses to killing adoptive father after having confiscated Nintendo Switch

The 11-year-old boy appeared handcuffed at the preliminary hearing on Tribunal of Condado of Perry, on Pensilvânia, accused of criminal homicide in the death of his adoptive father. The incident occurred in the early hours of January 13, 2026, a date that coincided with his birthday, on Duncannon Borough. Pensilvânia State Police are investigating the case as a homicide, and the boy is facing charges as an adult, with bond denied and detained in the county jail.

The mother woke up to a loud noise similar to fireworks and tried to wake her husband, but noticed something dripping. When she turned on the light, she discovered blood and realized that her husband had been shot in the head while he slept. The boy entered the room shortly afterwards and reported that his father was dead, then confessing the act to his mother and the police.

The couple adopted the boy in 2018. Eles celebrated his birthday by singing happy birthday and went to sleep shortly after midnight. The father confiscated his son’s Nintendo Switch and ordered him to go to sleep, which caused the child’s irritation.

Preliminary hearing and formal charges

The boy arrived in court handcuffed for the preliminary hearing held on February 19, 2026. The defense seeks to transfer the case to juvenile court.

The prosecution maintains the criminal homicide charge, based on the confessions and evidence collected. The boy remains in custody without bail.

Shooting details and access to the weapon

The boy found the key to the gun safe in his father’s drawer while looking for the confiscated video game. Ele opened the safe, took out the revolver, loaded it with bullets and went to his father’s bedside.

He pulled the hammer back and shot his adoptive father once in the head. The shooting occurred around 3:20 am local time.

The mother, who slept in the same room, heard the shot and the smell of gunpowder. Ela didn’t know where the safe key was kept.

Confession and report to the police

When questioned by investigators, the boy admitted that he shot someone and identified his father as the target. Ele said he was angry about the confiscation of the video game and did not think about the consequences of the shooting.

He stated that he loaded the weapon and carried out the act intentionally. The police recorded that he said “I killed daddy” when he entered the room.

Community reaction and family support

Vizinhos da rua South Market Street descreveram a família como reservada e tranquila. Um residente local afirmou que nunca imaginou algo assim ocorrer no bairro.

Distrito Escolar of Susquenita provided counselors and psychologists to students and families affected by the incident. The community expressed surprise at the event.

Uma campanha de arrecadação foi iniciada para apoiar a mãe viúva. O caso continua sob investigação pelas autoridades estaduais.

Defense position and next legal steps

The defense argues that the case should be tried in the juvenile system due to the age of the accused. The goal is to avoid being judged as an adult.

The preliminary hearing evaluated the initial evidence presented by the prosecution. The case remains ongoing in county court.

The boy remains in detention pending the next legal steps.

Family circumstances before the incident

The family lived in a house connected by a closet between the couple’s and their son’s bedrooms. The birthday day went by normally until bedtime.

The adoptive parent made the decision to confiscate Nintendo Switch for disciplinary reasons. The child was irritated by the order to go to bed.