On Wednesday evening shortly after the presidential debate began, I heard helicopters circling overhead for about an hour. I didn't think much about it at the time, however I learned yesterday morning that the commotion was due to a double murder. Martin Hohenegger, a 65 year old former Marine, shot and killed his neighbor, 58 year old Mike Scally and a mutual friend, Doug Kahley. Today our city is learning more about the possible motive.
Shortly after the televised presidential debate began at 6 p.m, police said, Hohenegger got into an argument with Scally and another man, Doug Kahley - neighbors said it was possibly over politics - stormed home and returned with a gun, shooting his two friends dead in front of Scally's house.
While we don't know for certain yet what preceded the murders, further details provided by neighbor Jamie Dowd were cited in the article.
One area where Hohenegger and Scally differed and sometimes argued, Dowd and other residents said, was over politics.
Dowd said Hohenegger identified himself as a proud Republican while Scally leaned Democrat. But it was impossible to tell what their final argument was over, she said, because the two men "bickered about everything. That's just what they did."
After shooting the two men, Hohenegger returned to his home and was arrested after a 45 minute standoff with police.
While it is still speculation at this point, the timing of the murders during the debate along with a history of drinking leading to arguments over politics seems a very likely scenario. I will be watching the media for a follow-up on this story. If it does turn out that Hohenegger's motivation was indeed over politics, it is clear where much of the blame can be placed. It would not be the first instance of the hateful, deceitful, and over-the-top rhetoric spewed by right wing media stirring up such rage that the results turn deadly.