A 41-year-old woman is expected to face a homicide charge for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl who was at a birthday party Saturday night with dozens of other teens in Little River County, Ark. Tracie Dierks, 41, was arrested by Arkansas State Police on a homicide charge and remained in custody late Tuesday.
Ninth Circuit Judge Tom Cooper set the bond at $100,000 for Dierks during a hearing Tuesday in the Little River County Circuit Court in Ashdown.
Official charges have not been filed yet, Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir said.
Dierks allegedly shot the Foreman, Ark., High School junior in the upper body. Caitlin Caskey was one of an estimated 32 teens-ages 13 to 19-at the party, Chesshir said.
"You would think your child would be safe going to a 16-year-old's birthday party. Alcohol and children don't mix. Guns and children don't mix. I see no reason why this gun was ever out at this party," Chesshir said.
Dierks reportedly was serving alcohol at her 16-year-old daughter's party at their home in the 2800 block of State Highway 32 in the Wallace community, between Ashdown and Foreman. Chesshir said the alcohol was in a fruit punch, and the teens had gummy bears.
The shooting was reported to the sheriff's office at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Dierks would greet the visiting teens at her front door carrying an AR-15 rifle, Chesshir said. She asked the teens if their parents knew where they were and if they were going to tell the police she was serving alcohol, ASP Special Agent Hays McWhirter said during Dierks' bond hearing.
Chesshir described the actions as attempts to "intimidate" the teenagers.
Dierks reportedly racked the gun and put a shell in the chamber when Caitlin arrived at the front door with a male friend.
The bullet that killed Caitlin went through her upper body and pierced the jacket of a boy standing beside her. The male friend was not hurt.
The girl's body was sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for an autopsy, and toxicology tests will be conducted on Dierks' blood alcohol level.
The bullet and shell casing were recovered, according to officials. The gun, Chesshir said, will be tested to determine if any malfunctions would have caused it to discharge.
Chesshir said the fatal shooting was not intentional, but criminal charges such as negligent homicide and endangering minors will probably be filed.
After the gun discharged, Dierks reportedly dropped it and tried to save Caitlin.
"She (Dierks) caught Caitlin before she hit the floor and laid her down and started CPR," Chesshir said.
State police continue to get statements from the teens who attended the party.
Chesshir said Dierks has not made a statement.
"She has lawyered up," he said.
Dierks is being held in the Sevier County jail in De Queen, Ark. The Little River County jail does not house female prisoners.