PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa.–The Perry County Coroner is ruling the death of a 12-year-old girl who died after being shot during an eviction dispute in Perry County a homicide.
Ciara Meyer, 12, died Monday after she was shot by a state constable at her home along Rebecca Drive in Penn Township. She was pronounce dead at the scene. Ciara died as a result of a single gun shot wound, according to Perry County Coroner Michael Shalonis.
Constable Clarke Steele, who has served in Perry and Dauphin counties for the past six years, was enforcing an eviction order at the home of 57-year-old Donald Meyer and his family.
Police say after a verbal dispute, Meyer pointed a loaded rifle at Steele.
Steele shot Meyer in the arm, but the bullet went through and struck Ciara, Meyer’s daughter, police said.
The state police confirm there was an ongoing eviction process and that Meyer knew the constable was on his way to execute the order to vacate the home.
Meyer remains in the hospital and will be charged with assault and reckless endangerment upon his release, police said.
Steele has voluntarily suspended his activities as constable.
A GoFundMe site named “Ciara’s Fund” was created to help pay for funeral costs and to set up a scholarship fund in Ciara’s memory.
