PENN TOWNSHIP , Pa., Jan. 13 (UPI) — A law enforcement officer fatally shot a 12-year-old girl as he served an eviction order in Penn Township, Pa., authorities said.
Police said the girl, identified by relatives as Ciara Meyer, was standing behind her father, Donald Meyer, 57, as Constable Clarke Steele arrived Monday morning in their apartment to evict them. Meyer allegedly pointed a rifle at Steele’s chest and Steele responded by shooting Meyer with his handgun.
The .40-caliber bullet traveled through Meyer’s arm and struck his daughter, killing her. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Meyer was hospitalized and charged with aggravated and simple assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. Police later said his rifle had one round in its chamber and carried a magazine of 30 rounds.
Relatives of the Meyer family said the girl was home from school Monday because of illness. Court documents indicated the eviction notice said the Meyers owed $1,780 in back rent and other costs.
