According to PennLive.com, Ciara Meyer, of Penn Township in Perry County, was shot during an altercation between her father and a constable, who were arguing over an eviction notice.
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Police tell the TV station that Donald Meyer opened the door, then shut it, then reopened the door and exchanged words with Steele.
Following the argument, Meyer took out a loaded rifle that he had hidden on his body and aimed it at the policeman.
The Associated Press reports that the Meyer family does not have “any hard feelings” toward Steele, who was elected constable in 2015.
The constable withdrew his handgun and fired a shot at Donald, striking him in his upper right arm.
“The bullet traveled through the suspect’s arm and struck the suspect’s 12-year-old daughter, who was standing directly behind her father”, the statement said. Ciara Meyer was reportedly staying home sick from school when she was killed.
Police said employees of the apartment complex were on scene for the eviction and witnessed the incident.
Meyer has been charged with aggravated assault and other counts. He was arraigned via video link on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to be released from hospital on Wednesday.
Constable Bill Stoeffler, a spokesman with the local police union, alleged Meyer initially opened the door, spoke briefly to the officer, then closed it. An autopsy found she died of a gunshot wound to the chest, and the death was ruled a homicide.Rohde said the girl called him Uncle Ron, and that he and his wife were speaking for the family.She was such a little angel.
He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on January 15. “It’s terrible, absolutely heartbreaking”, the neighbor told reporters for ABC 27 News.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay for Ciara’s funeral expenses. The officer, Constable Clark Steele, had been trying to enforce a magistrate’s eviction order against the father, Donald Meyer.
The Susquenita School District, while not commenting on whether the girl was a student in the district, said psychologists and guidance counselors were working with counselors to provided support to students and staff.
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Perry County District Attorney Andrew Bender said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and that it is too early to say if Steele’s actions were appropriate.
