12-year-old girl shot dead by police officer during housing eviction

A 12-year-old girl has been shot dead by a police officer who had been aiming his gun at her father as he tried to evict the family from their home. Ciara Meyer from Penn Township, Pennsylvania was pronounced dead after a bullet fired by Constable Clarke Steele at her father, Donald, went through his arm and hit her, Pennsylvania State Police said. The 46-year-old officer arrived at the apartment on Rebecca Drive at around 10am on Monday to serve an eviction notice and there was a “brief verbal exchange” between Donald Meyer and the policeman.

I think it’s premature to speak about anything with regard to what actions would have been appropriate. We are still looking into the matter, still investigating it.

County district attorney Andrew Bender

Following the argument, Meyer took out a loaded rifle that he had hidden on his body and aimed it at the policeman. Constable Steele in turn fired a single shot, which travelled through Ciara’s father’s arm and hit the young girl who was standing directly behind her father. Meyer, 57, who was taken to hospital for treatment, has been charged with aggravated and simple assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. Constable Steele has not been charged with any offence and Perry County district attorney Andrew Bender said investigations are ongoing. According to the eviction notice, Meyer and his wife Sherry owed $1,780.85 (£1,233.43) in rent and court costs.

Ciara Meyer Americas