GOP senator Michael Rulli accused of 'recklessly' firing shots at teens who trespassed on his property
COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO: Ohio Republican State Senator Michael Rulli and his wife, Kelly Rulli, are under scrutiny after being accused of shooting at two teenagers on their Columbiana County property.
The incident occurred on November 28, 2022, at around 5.15 am, when the Rullis allegedly spotted the teenagers, Hayden Cibula, 16, and his girlfriend on their property.
Discrepancies in Senator Rulli and Hayden Cibula's claims on gunfire
Senator Rulli admitted to firing his pistol at what he believed were trespassers but insists that he aimed at the ground, reports Cleveland.com. The episode unfolded as Rulli, accompanied by his dogs, heard rustling in the nearby trees. Despite calling out with no response, he decided to fire in the general direction of the noise.
However, Cibula claims he was fired upon by Rulli, believing he was on his uncle's land with permission to hunt. The special prosecutor found the senators' actions "reasonable" and did not press charges, confirming that the teen was trespassing.
The conflicting accounts between Cibula and Rulli about the distance and intent of the shooting persisted. While the teen asserted he was several hundred yards away, the senator contended that the distance was only 15 yards.
Cibula also claimed that his neighbor was trying to shoot directly at him and his girlfriend, while Rulli maintained he was firing at the ground.
Ashley Cibula says Senator Michael Rulli not 'above the law'
A similar incident occurred later that evening when Kelly allegedly fired a shot at Cibula and his three other family members as they retrieved their hunting gear. The Cibulas oppose the senator's wife's claim of firing into the ground as a warning shot and insist they were aimed for direct shots.
"All of a sudden, a gun is fired at us, again. She is screaming, 'Get off my property'" claimed Ashley Cibula. "We were all shot at. Me, my husband, and my two sons. We're just normal citizens who were shot at by someone who thinks they're above the law," reported Cleveland.com.
Kelly contends she was on her front porch, not close to the Cibulas' location. Despite the discrepancies and the lack of recovered shell casings or bullets, the special prosecutor, Jay Macejko, deemed the Rullis' actions reasonable. The prosecutor emphasized the absence of credible evidence indicating that the Rullis intentionally shot at the Cibulas.
Michael Rulli calls defending his property a 'God-given right'
Macejko concluded that the Rullis' actions, including calling out warnings and having a 'subjective fear' at the moment, were reasonable.
"While one should always be cautious and certain when discharging a firearm, doing so into the ground – even if unwise – is not unlawful harassment or otherwise illegal in this case," the special prosecutor wrote.
Despite no criminal charges being filed, the Cibula family maintains that the Rullis fired at them recklessly, insisting they were on their uncle's property with permission. "It was really reckless," said the teen. "There was no reason to shoot. He could have came down to talk to us. But there was no reason to shoot," insisting Rulli "was really trying to shoot at us."
The Rullis, on the other hand, assert their right to defend their property and family, with Senator Rulli citing similar threats he has received due to his political work, as an Ohio State Senator since winning his seat in 2018.
"No one was hurt, and the incident was fully investigated by a special prosecutor from outside of the county, who found there were no grounds to press charges," Rulli claimed. "It's my God-given right to defend my property and family, and I will continue advocating for it."
