A tragic incident unfolded in Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois, when a father’s attempt to shoot a bird that had flown into a building resulted in the accidental death of his teenage daughter. David Schultheis, 34, was attempting to shoot a buzzard on July 21 when the bullet he fired went through a window and fatally struck his daughter, Emma Schultheis, who was just days away from her 15th birthday.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene within minutes and began life-saving efforts, including CPR. Emma was quickly transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area, but despite the medical team’s best efforts, she was later pronounced dead.
According to investigators, Schultheis had only extended his arm into the doorway to fire the shot, keeping his head outside to avoid a potential ricochet. The bullet, however, passed through the bird, exited the building, and hit Emma, who was standing outside.
The tragic incident sparked an investigation involving the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit. On September 2, charges were filed against Schultheis and another individual, 58-year-old Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer, by Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb.
Schultheis is facing a felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm. Schwarze, on the other hand, has been charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice. Investigators allege that she hid the .40-caliber pistol used in the shooting and attempted to dissuade others from speaking to law enforcement.
Schultheis voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail and was released pending court. Schwarze is reportedly arranging to turn herself in. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department described the shooting as “profoundly devastating,” with Sgt. Justin Biggs stating, “There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of this tragic event.”