Illinois father shoots at bird, accidentally kills daughter, 14: cops
An Illinois father is facing charges after a tragic incident that resulted in the death of his teenage daughter. David Schultheis, 34, of Prairie Du Rocher, attempted to shoot a bird that had flown into a building on July 21. However, the bullet went through the bird, pierced a window, and fatally hit his daughter, Emma Schultheis, who was just six days away from her 15th birthday.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and tried to save Emma, performing CPR before rushing her to a hospital in the St. Louis area. Despite their efforts, Emma was pronounced dead.
Investigators revealed that Schultheis had only stuck his arm into the doorway to fire the shot, with his head outside to avoid any ricochet. The bullet passed through the bird, exited the building, and tragically struck Emma who was standing outside.
The incident led to an investigation involving the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit. On September 2, charges were filed against Schultheis and another woman, 58-year-old Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer.
Schultheis is facing a felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm, while Schwarze has been charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice. It was alleged that Schwarze hid the .40-caliber pistol used in the shooting and pressured others not to cooperate with law enforcement.
Following the execution of search warrants, Schwarze also attempted to influence others not to speak with law enforcement officers during the initial stages of the investigation. Schultheis voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail and was released pending court, while Schwarze is arranging to turn herself in.
Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department expressed the profound devastation caused by the shooting, stating that there are no words to adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of the tragic event.
The Post has reached out to both Schultheis and Schwarze for comment on the incident. The sheriff’s office described the shooting as profoundly devastating, highlighting the tragic loss of Emma Schultheis just days before her 15th birthday.
