News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Heidelberg Death
Case Number: 09-OCD-266
The SIU assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of this incident.
The SIU investigation determined that on the evening of October 13th, 2009, WRPS officers attended a residence in Heidelberg after receiving information that 64-year-old John Rung was threatening to harm himself, and that he had access to firearms. After arriving, the subject officer drew his firearm and took a position behind his police cruiser. He received further information that Mr. Rung had left the residence and was proceeding to a nearby bush with a long gun. Shortly thereafter, the officer heard a muffled bang, and later received information that Mr. Rung died of a close range shotgun wound to the head.
Director Scott said, "By all accounts, Mr. Rung's death was caused by a self-inflicted firearms wound. There is no evidence to suggest that the subject officer discharged his firearm or had any direct contact with Mr. Rung proximate to the moment of death. Accordingly, he cannot be held criminally liable for Mr. Rung's unfortunate death."
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations