The Tragic Case Of David A. Schultheis: 5 Key Facts About The Reckless Discharge Charge

The case of David A. Schultheis has captured national attention, focusing on the highly sensitive and tragic circumstances surrounding the death of his 14-year-old daughter, Emma Schultheis. As of December 2025, the legal proceedings are ongoing, centered on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm in Monroe County, Illinois. This article provides a comprehensive, fact-based overview of the public record and the key details that have emerged from the investigation and subsequent court filings.

The core of the matter revolves around a fatal incident that occurred in July 2025, leading to a formal charge against Schultheis and a separate charge for an associate. The information presented here is based entirely on public court documents and official statements from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office, detailing the timeline and the legal status of the case.

David A. Schultheis: Biography and Public Record Profile

Public information regarding David A. Schultheis's personal history prior to the incident is limited, focusing primarily on his residence and employment. The following profile is a compilation of publicly available data points as they pertain to the legal record.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

• Full Name: David A. Schultheis
• Age: 34 (at the time of the charge)
• Residence: Prairie du Rocher, Illinois
• Previous Employment: Listed in public records as a Deck Hand for Cgb, Ent., Inc.
• Legal Jurisdiction: Monroe County Circuit Court, Illinois
• Date of Incident: July 21, 2025
• Victim: Emma Schultheis, 14, his daughter
• Primary Charge: Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)
• Co-Defendant: Karen Schwarze (Charged with Concealment of a Death and Obstruction of Justice)
• Legal Status: Voluntarily surrendered, processed at Monroe County Jail, and released pending court proceedings.

The Incident and Formal Charges in Monroe County, Illinois

The tragic event that led to the charges against David A. Schultheis occurred on July 21, 2025, in the vicinity of Waterloo, Illinois. The facts laid out in the official court documents paint a clear, albeit devastating, picture of the incident.

The Fatal Shooting and Initial Investigation

Emma Schultheis, a 14-year-old girl from Prairie du Rocher, was fatally shot on the afternoon of July 21, 2025. The incident took place at a location identified as Schwarze Trailer Repair, situated on State Route 3, south of Waterloo. She was struck by a bullet at approximately 1:34 p.m. and later died at a St. Louis hospital.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department launched an immediate and extensive investigation into the circumstances of the young girl's death. The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit was called in to secure and process the scene, where a firearm was recovered.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Reckless Discharge of a Firearm

Following a thorough investigation, the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office filed formal charges against David A. Schultheis on September 2, 2025. He was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, which is classified as a Class 4 felony under Illinois law.

Investigators allege that Schultheis was attempting to shoot a bird—described in some reports as a buzzard—with a handgun inside a brick building at the location. The court filings suggest that in doing so, Schultheis acted with gross recklessness, resulting in the bullet striking his daughter, Emma, who was outside the structure.

Legal Proceedings and Related Charges

The legal process began with David A. Schultheis voluntarily surrendering himself to the Monroe County Jail shortly after the charges were filed. He was processed and subsequently released pending further court proceedings. This voluntary surrender is a common procedure in felony cases where a warrant has been issued.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Waiver of Preliminary Hearing

A significant development in the case occurred when Schultheis waived his preliminary hearing, which had been scheduled for the morning of October 16, 2025, at the Monroe County Courthouse. A preliminary hearing is a stage in the legal process where a judge determines if there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the defendant committed it. Waiving this hearing is a procedural step that often signals the defense is moving forward to the next stages of the trial process.

Charges Against Karen Schwarze

The case also includes a second defendant, Karen Schwarze of Valmeyer, Illinois. Schwarze was charged with two separate felonies: Concealment of a Death and Obstruction of Justice. These charges suggest that authorities believe she took actions to hide or impede the investigation into Emma Schultheis’s death. Schwarze was also expected to surrender to authorities to face her charges in the Monroe County Circuit Court.

The Community Impact and LSI Entities

The tragic death of Emma Schultheis and the subsequent legal proceedings against David A. Schultheis have had a profound impact on the small, close-knit communities of Prairie du Rocher and Monroe County. Emma was remembered by her community as a "spark of energy."

The incident has brought several related entities and topics—known as Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords—into the public discourse, reflecting the depth and complexity of the case:

• Monroe County, Illinois: The primary jurisdiction for the legal proceedings.
• Prairie du Rocher: The small town where David and Emma Schultheis resided.
• Waterloo: The nearby city where the Monroe County Courthouse is located and the general area of the incident.
• Reckless Discharge of a Firearm: The specific Class 4 felony charge, highlighting issues of gun safety and negligence.
• Concealment of a Death: The charge against Karen Schwarze, which is a serious felony related to the aftermath of the incident.
• Illinois State Police: The agency whose Crime Scene Unit played a critical role in the initial evidence gathering and investigation.
• Gun Safety and Negligence: The overarching topical authority related to the circumstances of the shooting.

As the legal process continues in the Monroe County Circuit Court, the focus will remain on the prosecution’s ability to prove the element of "recklessness" in the discharge of the firearm and the alleged actions of concealment and obstruction by the co-defendant. The outcome of this sensitive and high-profile case will be closely watched by the local community and legal observers across Illinois.