A tragic accident in Waterloo, Illinois has left a family devastated after a father accidentally shot and killed his teenage daughter while attempting to kill a bird inside a building.
Authorities say 34-year-old David Schultheis has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm following the July 21 death of his 14-year-old daughter, Emma Schultheis.
The Shooting Incident
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Schultheis was using a handgun to shoot at a buzzard that had flown into a brick office building. Instead of stepping inside, police say he extended only his arm into the room, keeping his head outside the doorway to avoid ricochet, and fired a shot.
The bullet struck the bird, passed through it, exited the building through a window, and hit Emma, who was standing outside.
Deputies arrived at the scene at 1:34 p.m., where Emma was found with a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead despite emergency efforts. Emma would have turned 15 years old in less than a week.
Charges Against Father and Accomplice
Police determined that the shooting was unintentional, but Schultheis was charged because of his reckless actions with the firearm. He later turned himself in and was released after booking. His first court appearance was scheduled for Thursday.
Authorities also filed charges against 58-year-old Karen Schwarze, who allegedly tried to hide Emma’s death and the weapon used in the shooting. Schwarze is accused of attempting to influence others not to speak with law enforcement in the early stages of the investigation.
She faces charges of concealment of a homicidal death and obstruction of justice, and is expected to surrender soon.
Sheriff’s Statement
Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing stressed that the shooting was not intentional but still tragic and preventable.
“We feel terrible for the family and friends,” Rohlfing told the Belleville News-Democrat.
What began as an attempt to get rid of a bird ended in unimaginable tragedy, costing a young girl her life just days before her 15th birthday. While authorities emphasize that the act was unintentional, David Schultheis now faces the consequences of reckless firearm use, and another woman faces charges for allegedly trying to cover it up.
The case underscores the deadly risks of careless gun handling and the irreversible consequences it can bring to families and communities.
