Teenager fatally shot in Monroe County town, sheriff says
A 14-year-old died in a St. Louis hospital from a gunshot wound after Monroe County emergency services found her wounded at 5925 Illinois 3 in Waterloo.
Police say a firearm was recovered at the scene where Emma Schultheis, of Prairie Du Rocher, was injured at about 1:34 p.m. Monday.
“This remains an active investigation, and no further details will be released at this time,” Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Justin Biggs said. “However, we can confirm that there are no suspects at large and no threat to the community stemming from this incident.”
The Illinois State Police Crime Investigation Unit responded to the scene, which is near Schwarze Trailer Repair.
Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said Tuesday that the gunshots are not self-inflicted.
“We are aware of unverified information and rumors circulating online,” the sheriff’s release stated. “We urge the public to refrain from sharing speculation, as doing so can impede the investigation and cause additional harm to those impacted.”
Schultheis was a standout athlete at Prairie du Rocher’s junior high school and was active with the Monroe County Fair, according to a statement by the Red Bud chapter of Future Farmers of America. She was set to be a sophomore at Red Bud High School next month. Here 15th birthday is on Sunday.
The fair will honor Schultheis and her family on July 24, at 6 p.m., during which Schultheis’ animals will be auctioned off, the statement said.
“This week was her Super Bowl … We invite our community to come together and rally around the family that gave us such an incredible young woman. Let’s fill those bleachers for Emma, and show her family how deeply she was loved,” the Red Bud FFA said.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM.
