11-year-old Pennsylvania boy to stand trial as adult for fatal shooting of father

WASHINGTON: An 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania has been ordered to stand trial as an adult after allegedly fatally shooting his adoptive father during a birthday celebration earlier this year.

The ruling reflects the severity of the crime and overrides efforts by his defence team to keep the case in the juvenile justice system.

The boy made his first court appearance on Thursday, handcuffed and maintaining an expressionless demeanour. He did not respond to questions from the Press outside the courtroom.

Authorities say the incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 13, the night of the boy’s birthday. Dietz, as identified in court records, allegedly shot his 42-year-old adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, in the head while he was asleep at their Pennsylvania home. Police reported that the boy had accessed a revolver stored in a bedroom safe.