Father fatally shot daughter while trying to kill bird in Monroe County, sheriff says

MONROE COUNTY, Ill. (First Alert 4) - A father is accused of fatally shooting his daughter while trying to kill a bird in Monroe County.

Emma Schultheis, 14, died after being shot on State Route 3 in Waterloo on July 21, 2025.

On Tuesday, Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb charged David A. Schultheis, 34, with reckless discharge of a firearm, and Karen A. Schwarze with concealment of a homicidal death and obstruction of justice.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, David A Schultheis shot a handgun in an attempt to shoot a bird that had entered a brick building. He allegedly only put his arm into the room, keeping his head outside to avoid a potential ricochet, before pulling the trigger. The bullet then hit the bird, passed through it, exited the building through