An Illinois father has been charged after attempting to shoot a bird that flew into a building — only for the bullet to go through the animal and out a window before it fatally hit his teenage daughter, authorities said.
David Schultheis, 34, of Prairie Du Rocher, was trying to shoot a buzzard that had flown into a brick building on July 21 when the bullet pierced a window and struck his daughter, Emma Schultheis, just six days before she was due to turn 15, deputies said.
“Within minutes, emergency responders arrived on scene and immediately began life-saving efforts, including CPR,” the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Emma was rushed to a St. Louis-area hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said Schultheis stuck only his arm into the doorway to fire — keeping his head outside to avoid a ricochet — when the bullet passed through the bird, exited the building and hit Emma, who was standing outside.
The teen’s death triggered an investigation involving the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, officials said.
On Sept. 2, Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb filed charges against Schultheis and another woman, 58-year-old Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer.
Schultheis faces one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm.
Schwarze was charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice after investigators said she hid the .40-caliber pistol used in the shooting and pressured others not to speak to law enforcement.
“Additionally, the investigation revealed that following the execution of search warrants, Ms. Schwarze attempted to influence others not to speak with law enforcement officers during the early stages of the investigation,” deputies said.
Schultheis voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail and was released pending court. Schwarze is arranging to turn herself in, officials said.
The sheriff’s office called the shooting “profoundly devastating.”
“There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of this tragic event,” Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
The Post has sought comment from Schultheis and Schwarze.
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