Hugh Hootman, 75, has been charged with first-degree murder in the murders of Henry and Ginger Wallace, both 81. Let’s see who is Hugh Hootman and why he shot an elderly couple in detail.
Who is Hugh Hootman?
Police reported Sunday that a retired couple was shot and killed Saturday afternoon at the Cedar Pointe Condominiums off East Ocean Boulevard by one of their neighbors after a homeowners association disagreement turned deadly.
Hugh Hootman, 75, is accused of killing Henry and Ginger Wallace, both 81, on two charges of first-degree murder. Hootman shot both of them in the chest just outside their apartment, police reported.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said, “We got the call at 3:18 p.m. and we happened to be very close to that apartment. We had several SWAT team members there because they were getting ready to go out to the Hobe Sound parade for security.”
Snyder stated that Ginger was the building’s HOA president. “And it does appear to us from witness statements that the shooter and Ginger had some disagreement over HOA issues. I don’t know what those were, though.” Days before the incident, the couple had also argued with Hootman, according to Snyder.
Cedar Pointe Apartment shooting- What happened?
According to Synder, the apparent motive for the shooting was a homeowners association disagreement. The pair was discovered on the sidewalk “not far from their front door” when the police arrived. Henry Wallace was found with his keys in his hand.
Neighbors informed the deputies that Hootman was in his flat upstairs when they arrived. He then walked out of the residence and surrendered himself in less than 20 minutes, according to Snyder.
What is the motive behind the shooting?
Hootman shot and murdered the couple at the Cedar Pointe Condominium Complex on East Ocean Boulevard on Saturday afternoon. The shooting appeared to be motivated by an ongoing argument. Hootman lived in the apartment above Wallace’s. It is reported that there is a dispute between the couple and Hootman and it appeared to be at the center of the killings.
Joanne Ryder, a resident from Cedar Pointe said, “I saw her around 3 p.m. that day,” Ryder recalled. “I had a tool of hers and I was walking across the parking lot to give it to her. She came out of the house and she was all bubbly and very happy.”
Ryder was shocked to see the crime scene tape covering the Wallaces’ unit and police cars, as she returned from a Christmas shopping errand after some time.
“I had a lot of respect for the woman. As president, she had a lot to cope with, “said Ryder. “She was only doing her job, and in the short amount of time that I knew her, she was so helpful to me.”
Henry Wallace preferred being quiet and loved to ride his bicycle around the condo complex, Ryder said. “This is a retirement community. You don’t expect something like this to happen. It’s a real tragedy,” Ryder said. “Now (police) have to notify the family that both parents were killed before Christmas. That’s horrible.
Hootman was being held at the Martin County Jail without bail.
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