Ciara Meyer reportedly was shot to death in Perry County Jan 11, 2015.
The visit of a constable to evict a Penn Township family Monday was not a surprise visit, state police say.
Constable Clark Steele had been at the home of Donald Meyer in the Pfautz Rentals apartments on Rebecca Drive "numerous times" in the past regarding the impending eviction, said Trooper Rob Hicks, state police spokesman.
The last time he was there, Hicks said, Meyer was given the deadline of 10 a.m. Jan. 11, to move out.
"It was absolutely no surprise he was coming at this date and time," Hicks said.
In his visit Monday morning to evict the family, Hicks said, Meyer aimed a rifle at Steele's chest. Steele fired one round that hit Meyer in the arm and then the bullet struck his 12-year-old daughter, Ciara Meyer, who was standing behind him.
Hicks said the girl was home sick from Susquenita Middle School.
Donald Meyer was flown to Penn State Hershey for treatment, and the bullet shattered his upper arm bone, Hicks said.
The family had not appealed the eviction order issued by District Judge Daniel McGuire, Hicks said, adding that it did not appear that the family had begun packing or was taking steps to move.
"His lawful job, because he had a valid court order, was to remove them from the property if they had not already moved," Hicks said of the constable.
The investigation into the shooting continues, said Perry County District Attorney Andrew Bender.
Hicks said there were other weapons taken out of the Meyer home, and police are still investigating whether they were legally obtained.
Bill Stoeffler, a Dauphin County constable and spokesman for the capital area constables' association, said Steele is "completely distraught over this incident - this is the worst nightmare any of us as constables can encounter."
"It was absolutely not intentional that the girl was shot," Stoeffler said. "The constable fired one round when he faced an immediate threat from which he could not retreat safely - he had no other force options."
Stoeffler said serving orders to take property away from people "are the most dangerous situations in my 12 years as constable."
Normally constables don't ask for police to accompany them when serving these warrants or orders, Stoeffler said, but would call police and landlord if people refuse to leave.
"The situation degraded so quickly he had no time to call anyone," Stoeffler said in Monday's incident.
Steele was up to date on the required certifications and training for constable duties and was properly bonded and insured, Stoeffler said. He said he knows of no prior disciplinary issues in his performance.
"He is very well known and respected by both law enforcement and the judges in Perry County and Dauphin County as a very low-key, professional constable," Stoeffler said. "He is one of the most stable and professional guys I've known in my life."
Steele was re-elected in November to a six-year term and had been a constable for at least six years before that, Stoeffler said.
Stoeffler said the eviction process is a lengthy one, and echoed Hicks' statements that Steele had had several prior contacts with the Meyer family.
There are 1,113 constables in Pennsylvania, said Matt Leonard, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Annually, constables must attend 20 hours of training to remain firearms certified after completing a basic firearms course which is 40 hours, Leonard said. If it has been three years or more since a constable was last firearms certified, they have to attend the basic firearms course again to be re-certified, Leonard said.
Few constables work without carrying a weapon, Stoeffler said, adding that they purchase all their own equipment.