Ernie Has Grown Weary of the Neighbor Kid's Cutting Across

Ernie has grown weary of the neighbor kid's cutting across his lawn on their way to and from school.He has told them several times to stay off his lawn but the kids have ignored his request.One afternoon Ernie decides to scare the children by shooting over their heads if they enter his yard.As a group of children steps onto his lawn,Ernie runs outside firing his rifle well over their heads.The children flee screaming.Unfortunately,one of the bullets ricochets off of a telephone pole and strikes Melody,a seven-year-old girl.Melody is killed instantly.The most serious offense,if any,Ernie has committed is:

A) capital murder because he caused the death of a child under 10 years old.
B) manslaughter because he caused a death through reckless use of a deadly weapon.
C) murder because Ernie knew that firing the rifle near the children would likely result in a death.
D) no offense because Ernie lacked the intent to physically harm any of the children.