NEW BLOOMFIELD , Pa., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The father of a 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl shot by a law enforcement officer was charged with criminal homicide Friday.
In addition to the criminal homicide charge Donald Meyer, 57, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children, two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, terrorist threats and reckless endangerment.
The charges stemmed from the death of Meyer's daughter, Ciara, in a Jan. 11 shooting that occurred during an eviction after Meyer aimed a rifle at Constable Clarke Steele. Steele then fired a handgun at Meyer and the bullet traveled through his arm, and struck and killed his daughter.
Meyer told CBS 21 he believed he was simply acting in self defense of his family.
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"They're responsible for the murder and shooting of my daughter and me, and now it's a big coverup," he said. "They're charging me with a felony for protecting my family?"
Authorities said Meyer should not have been able to own a firearm under the Mental Health Procedures Act because he was committed in 2011 for mental health problems.
He was able to obtain weapons by allegedly providing false information and falsifying records, Perry County District Attorney Andrew Bender said. He said Meyer's actions contributed to his daughter's death.
"Mr. Meyer's reckless conduct, knowing his daughter was standing behind him, triggered a chain of events that tragically lead to the death of Ciara Meyer," Bender said.
No charges were filed against Meyer's wife, who was also home during the shooting. Investigators found the constable was justified in firing his weapon, though he was described as shaken by the incident.
"It's been described to me as just completely distraught, certainly something that he didn't want to see happen," said Bender.
