Report: State Senator said he fired ‘warning shot’ in 2022, but nearby Salem teen said he was fired at

A Columbiana County Republican State Senator is defending himself and his family from accusations his family shot at local students believed to be on his property in 2022.

According to a cleveland.com report, Congressional candidate and Republican state Sen. Michael Rulli spotted two teens on his property in 2022, but said he fired into the ground.

Reports indicated when Hayden Cibula and family members returned later in the day on the family property to retrieve hunting equipment, Michael’s wife Kelly fired a gun.

A special prosecutor declined to charge Michael and his wife Kelly in 2023, saying their actions were “reasonable” and said Hayden was trespassing, but declined to charge him.

Rulli defended the actions of him and his family in the story.

“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,” he said. in the story. “It’s my God-given right to defend my property and family, and I will continue advocating for it.”

But Hayden Cibula said Rulli had no reason to shoot and is still upset about the matter.

“It was really reckless,” Hayden told a reporter in a published interview. “There was no reason to shoot. He could have came down to talk to us. But there was no reason to shoot.”

Read more about the story here.