In Florida, a homeowner association president and her husband were murdered. Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavits indicate that a laundry room conflict escalated into deadly violence.
Hugh Hootman, 75, is facing two counts of murder in the first degree for the murders of Henry and Ginger Wallace, both 81, on Dec 3.
There was an ongoing dispute between them, according to deputies. The Wallace family lived below Hootman.
They were shot outside their home in Florida at the Cedar Pointe Condominium Complex on East Ocean Boulevard on Saturday afternoon.
According to Hotman’s wife, there was an ongoing dispute. She claimed there was a conflict over the washer and dryer in her affidavit.
Stuart police officers and deputies arrived at the apartment to find two dead people on the walkway. Deputies said Hootman was arrested without incident.
Hugh Hootman says Henry Wallace confronted his wife, Susan Hootman, several days ago. The Hughs left the door to the community’s laundry room open, which upset Wallace. Susan Hootman told Hugh Hootman that Henry Wallace cursed and yelled at her, which upset her.
In his statement to deputies, Hootman said that he was picking up his mail at the community mailbox on Saturday. As he was doing so, he came across Henry Wallace. Hootman claimed he requested an apology on behalf of his wife from Wallace. According to the report, Wallace ignored him and moved on.
Hootman was not happy about this. Hootman stated, “I lost my temper.” He then pulled out his 9mm pistol, loaded a round into it, pointed it at Wallace, and fired two shots.
Ginger Wallace, Wallace’s wife, ran out of their house screaming. Hugh Hootman claimed Mrs. Wallace did not approach him but was standing near her husband’s body when he fired two more shots at her.
Hootman reported returning home, placing the gun on a stand in the living room, and calling the police.
“I just shot Henry and Ginger,” he allegedly told his wife.
According to deputies, Hootman surrendered without incident.
“A homeowners association dispute was the apparent motive in the shooting,” said Snider. Further, he said, “Ginger was the president of that HOA of that building, and it does appear to us from witness statements that the shooter and Ginger had some disagreement over HOA issues.”