An Oregon man has been taken into custody on charges stemming from the fatal shooting of his brother at a family-owned wedding venue earlier in the year. Robert Horning, aged 63, was arrested following an indictment by a Washington County grand jury which accused him of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in the death of Carl Horning, 47, as per OregonLive. The incident took place at Horning’s Hideout, known for hosting weddings and concerts, located off U.S. 26 near North Plains.
The shooting occurred on January 2, and upon deputies' arrival at the scene, they found Carl Horning with multiple gunshot wounds from which he died. Initially, Robert Horning was detained for hours and named as a person of interest but was then released. Details regarding the circumstances of a shooting were sparse until the recent indictment and arrest announcement. Margaret Horning has now faced the incomprehensible tragedy of not only losing one son but potentially another as well to the penal system. Carl Horning had been a dedicated member of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, having served previously with Washington County Fire District #2, and had been promoted to lieutenant in 2023, reports KGW.
In the wake of the arrest, neighbors and friends of the Horning family expressed a complex mix of emotions. A family friend conveyed their sentiments in a statement to KPTV: "Feeling really bad for the mom. She’s an older lady. So, I’m really sad that she’s not only lost one son but probably the other son, too." On justice, the friend added, "I’m relieved. You don’t kill someone without paying for it. Justice needs to be served for this man that died. I’m praying for all of them, every one of them, Bob, too."
The investigation into the case continues as the community surrounding Horning's Hideout tries to reconcile the scene of pastoral gatherings with that of a setting for a sudden act of violence. The unfolding narrative of the Horning family tragedy will no doubt raise questions about the dynamics that led to such a fateful day – questions for which answers are still being sought by authorities.
