New details released in teen’s shooting after father charged in Monroe County
The Monroe County sheriff has released new information about the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old Prairie du Rocher girl after her father was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.
David A. Schultheis, 34, of Prairie du Rocher was charged Tuesday in connection with the shooting death of Emma Schultheis, according to information from court records and Sheriff Neal Rohlfing.
David Schultheis surrendered to authorities after the felony charge was filed . He was subsequently released from the county jail when authorities elected not to petition for his pretrial detention, Rohlfing said Wednesday. Court records show that “probable cause” was found that he committed the offense.
A defense attorney for David Schultheis was not listed Wednesday in Monroe County court records. Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb could not be reached for comment.
Details about Emma’s death previously had not been released but Rohlfing said Wednesday that David Schultheis was shooting at a bird with a handgun when his daughter was hit by gunfire.
Emma was shot at about 1:34 p.m. on July 21. She died that day in a St. Louis hospital after Monroe County first responders found her wounded at 5925 Illinois 3 in Waterloo.
“He was shooting in an unsafe direction and made some poor choices in my opinion and unfortunately it resulted in his daughter’s death,” Rohlfing said.
“Everyone should always use caution when using and handling firearms. Treat every firearm as it’s loaded. You should always know your backdrop.”
Rohlfing said the shooting was “not intentional.” “We feel terrible for the family and friends,” Rohlfing said.
Emma, who was a rising sophomore at Red Bud High School, won second place for her steer and first place for heifer at the Clinton County Fair in Carlyle on July 16.
She was looking forward to showing her livestock at the Monroe County Fair. The Red Bud Future Farmers of America said in a Facebook post that fair week was Emma’s “Super Bowl.”
She was honored at the 4H and FFA Market Animal Auction at the Monroe County Fair on July 24, just three days after her death and three days before her 15th birthday.
“She was a wonderful, helpful, sweet little girl,” Amanda Schultheis said at the time of her daughter. “She was our best friend.”
