Illinois Dad Allegedly Shot at a Bird — and the Bullet Killed His 14-Year-Old Daughter, Authorities Say By Nicole Acosta 53

An Illinois father was arrested after authorities alleged he fatally shot his teenage daughter while trying to kill a bird.

David A. Schultheis, 34, was charged on Sept. 2 with reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with the July death of 14-year-old Emma Schultheis, according to a statement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. A second person, Karen A. Schwarze, 58, is facing two charges: concealing a homicide and obstruction of justice, per the statement.

Authorities allege that on July 21, David fired a handgun in an attempt to shoot a bird that had entered a brick building in Waterloo, Ill. The bullet struck the bird, went through it, exited the building through a window, and ultimately hit his daughter, Emma, who was outside, per the statement.

“Schultheis inserted only his arm into the room — keeping his head outside the doorway to avoid potential ricochet — before pulling the trigger,” the sheriff’s department claimed.

Emergency responders who were called to the scene that afternoon “immediately began life-saving efforts, including CPR,” per the statement. Emma was then taken to a St. Louis-area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The sheriff’s department handed over the case to the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office on Aug. 26, and formal charges were filed against David and Schwarze on Sept. 2. Authorities did not specify Schwarze’s connection to the victim.

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According to the sheriff’s department, David voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail. He was processed and released pending upcoming court proceedings. As for Schwarze, authorities said she plans to turn herself in to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in the “near future.” It’s unclear if they have entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.

“There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak and gravity of this tragic event,” the sheriff’s department said. “The death of a child under any circumstances is profoundly devastating.”

“While this incident may have been preventable, our obligation is not to dwell in speculation but to uncover and present the facts with integrity,” they added.