An Illinois father allegedly killed his daughter while trying to shoot a bird that entered a building in a devastating chain of events.
On July 21, authorities responded to a report of a medical emergency and found Emma Schultheis, 14, with a gunshot wound, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
Emergency responders arrived on scene in minutes and performed life-saving care, but Emma later died at a St. Louis hospital.
Law enforcement launched an investigation into her death and found that she was allegedly shot by her father, David A. Schultheis, 34.
Schultheis allegedly discharged a handgun inside while attempting to shoot a bird. Cops said he put his arm in the room and kept his head outside the doorway to avoid a potential ricochet.
When he allegedly pulled the trigger, the bullet hit the bird, but passed through the animal, exiting the building and allegedly striking his daughter.
Emma was outside the building at the time. She was in a town called Waterloo when she was shot, but lived in the small village of Prairie Du Rocher.
Emma Schultheis, 14, died after sustaining a gunshot wound in July. An investigation charged her father and another individual in connection to her death
Emma’s father, David A. Schultheis, 34, was arrested for recklessly discharging a firearm while allegedly attempting to shot a bird
Police said Emma was playing outside when the bullet went through the bird and struck her
After over a month, authorities filed charges against her father and a woman named Karen Schwarze, 58, in connection with the teen’s death.
Schultheis was charged with a class 4 felony of recklessly discharging a firearm. Police said the father endangered the bodily safety of others when he attempted to shoot the bird.
Schwarze was accused of knowingly hiding Emma’s death, which is a class 3 felony. Police also alleged that she hid evidence, including a 0.50 caliber pistol, to prevent Schultheis’ arrest.
An investigation also revealed that Schwarze also allegedly attempted to influence others from speaking to law enforcement about the shooting.
Schultheis voluntarily surrendered himself and is being held at the Monroe County Jail.
The sheriff’s office added that Schwarze is ‘making arrangements’ to surrender ‘in the near future’.
A second individual, Karen Schwarze, 58, was charged with concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
Emma’s Facebook account has been memorialized in the wake of her death
‘There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of this tragic event. The death of a child under any circumstances is profoundly devastating,’ Sergeant Justin Biggs said of the case.
Biggs added that the incident was preventable, but urged the community not to dwell on speculation.
Emma’s Facebook account was memorialized in the wake of her death. She had shared numerous photos with horses, participating in track meets, playing softball, and posing with friends and family.
An account associated with her father lists his occupation as the US Army.
