Illinois Father Charged After Fatal Shooting of Teenage Daughter in Tragic Accident

Emma Schultheis, 14, died after sustaining a gunshot wound in July. An investigation charged her father and another individual in connection to her death

An Illinois father has been charged after accidentally fatally shooting his teenage daughter while attempting to kill a bird that had flown into a building, authorities said.

David Schultheis, 34, of Prairie Du Rocher, fired at a buzzard inside a brick building on July 21 when the bullet went through the bird, pierced a window, and struck his daughter, Emma Schultheis, just six days before her 15th birthday, according to deputies.

Emma Schultheis, 14, of Prairie Du Rocher, Ill., died just days shy of her 15th birthday

Emergency responders arrived within minutes and performed CPR before Emma was rushed to a St. Louis-area hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Investigators said Schultheis extended only his arm through the doorway to fire — keeping his head outside to avoid a ricochet — when the bullet struck Emma, who was standing outside the building.

The shooting launched a full investigation involving the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit. On September 2, Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb filed charges against Schultheis and 58-year-old Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer.

Emma's father, David A. Schultheis, 34, was arrested for recklessly discharging a firearm while allegedly attempting to shot a bird

Schultheis faces a 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 attempted to pressure others not to cooperate with law enforcement. Deputies said Schwarze also tried to influence individuals during the early stages of the investigation, following the execution of search warrants.

Schultheis voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail and was released pending court proceedings. Schwarze is expected to turn herself in.

Karen Schwarze, 58, was charged with concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office

“This incident is 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.