Heremba was shot dead by police for resisting arrest. He was accused of the arson of the Kramomongga school and district office as well as the murder of the district chief.

Local human rights activists received reports that Heremba was a victim of extrajudicial killing. One of the reasons is the closed handling of Heremba's body, not allowing the family to see the body, no autopsy, and buried immediately at the Covid-19 victims' cemetery.