Dad shoots at bird, kills daughter days before her birthday
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, deputies said. Facebook/David Schultheis
A tragic accident in Illinois has led to criminal charges for a father who fatally shot his teenage daughter while trying to shoot a bird inside a building, authorities said.
David Schultheis, 34, of Prairie Du Rocher, was attempting to kill a buzzard that had flown into a brick building on July 21. According to investigators, he fired his weapon while only extending his arm through the doorway, keeping his head outside to avoid a ricochet. The bullet went through the bird, exited a window, and struck his daughter, 14-year-old Emma Schultheis, who was standing outside.
Emergency responders arrived quickly and attempted life-saving measures, including CPR. Emma was transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area, but she was pronounced dead shortly afterward — just six days before her 15th birthday.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department called the shooting “profoundly devastating,” and the incident prompted 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 another individual, 58-year-old Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer.
Schultheis has been charged with one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm.
Schwarze faces charges of concealment of a homicidal death and obstruction of justice. Investigators allege that she hid the .40-caliber handgun used in the shooting and tried to dissuade others from speaking with law enforcement.
“Following the execution of search warrants, Ms. Schwarze attempted to influence others not to speak with officers during the early stages of the investigation,” the sheriff’s office said.
Schultheis turned himself in at the Monroe County Jail and was released pending court proceedings. Authorities say Schwarze is arranging to surrender.
“There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of this tragic event,” said Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
Requests for comment from both Schultheis and Schwarze were not immediately returned.
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