David A. Schultheis, the father, was arrested after shooting his 14-year-old daughter Emma Schultheis to death while attempting to kill a bird

An Illinois father has been arrested six weeks after shooting and killing his 14-year-old daughter while attempting to kill a bird in a 'freak accident.' 

Emma Schultheis, 14, died on July 21 after being shot along State Route 3 in Waterloo.

On Tuesday, Monroe County State's Attorney Ryan Webb accused her father, 34-year-old David A. Schultheis of Prairie du Rocher, with careless firearm discharge, and Karen A. Schwarze of Valmeyer with concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice.

Prairie du Rocher father alleged to have ‘recklessly’ fired gun that led to bullet fatally striking teen daughter

Authorities say Schultheis fired a handgun in an attempt to shoot a buzzard that had entered a brick building. The parent is alleged to have fired the gun ‘recklessly’ after placing only his arm into the room of the building while keeping his head outside the doorway to avoid a potential ricochet, before pulling the trigger, FOX10 reported.

The bullet struck the bird, passing through it and exiting the building through a window, striking Emma, who was outside, according to the sheriff’s department.

Emma Schultheis shot dead by her dad firing gun at bird only for bullet to fatally strike Prairie du Rocher teen girl.

First responders were called at 1:34 p.m. and found Emma wounded at 5925 Illinois 3 in Waterloo. She was taken to a St. Louis hospital, where she died later that day, the Belleville News-Democrat reported.

Schultheis voluntarily surrendered himself at the Monroe County Jail. He was processed and released pending upcoming court proceedings.

Preventable tragedy

Schwarze is accused of concealing a gun with the goal to obstruct Schultheis' arrest or prosecution. She also allegedly tried to persuade people not to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation's early phases.

Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department stated, "While this incident may have been preventable, our obligation is not to dwell in speculation, but to uncover and present the facts with integrity."

'Everyone should always be cautious when using and handling firearms,' Sheriff Neal Rohlfing told reporters, adding that the shot was not deliberate.

The shooting death follows the Emma Schultheis being known for her prize-winning livestock, with the teen girl said to be looking forward to her showing livestock at the upcoming Monroe County Fair.

Schwarze is making arrangements to surrender herself voluntarily.