Bullying Prompted Boy’s Suicide, Dad Says

FREEBURG, Ill. — A heartbroken father says high school students bullied his 14-year-old son “for four days straight” before the boy shot himself to death in this small southern Illinois town.

High school administrators were interviewing Andrew Rudy’s classmates Wednesday to determine if any were involved in the alleged harassment. Police said they’ve found evidence of verbal harassment but no criminal acts.

“If we find that there was any criminal act committed, then we are certainly going to go for charges,” said Chief of Police Steve Flater.

Rudy was four days into his freshman year when he killed himself with a shotgun Aug. 26 in the basement of his parents’ home.

Rudy’s father said his son’s tormentors had forced him into a locker and demanded he utter demeaning remarks.

“He was always a happy son, always friendly to people,” Earl Rudy said. “He tried to be friendly to kids that didn’t have any friends.”