DUNCANNON, PENNSYLVANIA — A 12-year-old girl died on Monday after being struck by a bullet meant for her father in central Pennsylvania, police said.
Pennsylvania State Constable Clarke Steele arrived at the residence in Penn Township in Perry County to serve an eviction order to the Meyer family at around 10 a.m, police said in a statement cited by PennLive.
According to court documents cited by PennLive, the family owed $1,452.60 in back rent on their $660-a-month apartment.
According to the statement, Donald Meyer opened the door, closed it, then opened it again and got into an argument with the constable. Meyer then pointed a loaded .223 caliber rifle, which he had been hiding behind his back, at Steele's chest.
Steele quickly drew his duty weapon and fired at Meyer, the statement said. The bullet passed through Meyer's left upper arm and fatally struck Meyer's daughter, Ciara, who was standing behind her father.
Donald Meyer was flown to the Hershey Medical Center, while Ciara Meyer was pronounced dead at the scene, Perry County District Attorney Andrew Bender told PennLive.
Meyer was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person, according to the Pennsylvania State Police arrest affidavit. The investigation is still ongoing.
Ciara Meyer's aunt, Hope Cordas Rohde, wrote on Facebook, "We are so broken as she was just a little girl and we loved her so much. My heart hurts so very much. Such a sad world this is when an innocent child is shot and killed. May God give us peace."
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