Key Takeaways
• 11-year-old shoots father over video game taken ||| Child confesses to killing father on his birthday ||| Access to firearm led to tragic incident ||| Legal action initiated, boy charged with murder ||| Police investigating child's access to weapons
Deadly Shooting Within Family Home
An 11-year-old in Pennsylvania, US is accused of shooting and killing his father after the man confiscated the child’s Nintendo Switch console on January 13. This news sent shockwaves through local authorities due to both its shocking nature and young suspect’s age.
At approximately 3:20 AM on February 21, police responded to reports of an unconscious male living at the family residence and discovered his death from an accidental gunshot wound to his head in bed. He had been 42-years-old father.
Child Confesses to Police in Michigan
According to police reports, it was the child’s birthday on the day of this incident and officers present reported hearing him come into his bedroom shouting that his father had died before telling his mother “I killed dad”.
Investigators reported the shooting took place after both parents had gone to sleep shortly before midnight, when both boys had returned from enjoying an enjoyable day together before becoming angry when one told the other it was time for bed. Authorities interviewed their witness who reported his day had gone well until his father told him it was bedtime and forced them both to sleep together for the evening.
Access to a Firearm
Court documents indicate that a child admitted finding access to the family gun safe inside his parents’ bedroom drawer while searching for his Nintendo Switch that had been taken earlier, opening it and discovering an arsenal.
According to his statement, he took possession of and loaded up his father’s weapon before entering his bedroom where he pulled the trigger, striking down upon a sleeping figure who lay beneath.
When asked by police what would happen when he fired his weapon, the child stated he was angry and hadn’t considered possible outcomes of firing it.
Legal Action has already started against those involved
The 11-year-old boy has now been charged with murder. A request to release him on bail was denied and the case continues through juvenile justice system proceedings. Additionally, authorities continue their investigation as to how this young child gained access to firearms.
