Neighbors shocked after son accused of father’s murder

PAINESVILLE, Ohio — A Painesville man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his father Sunday at their Sanford Street home, leaving neighbors saying they can’t comprehend the crime.

“You’re trying to wrap your head around what happened and you keep wishing it didn’t happen,” neighbor Gary Mullins said. “(You) want to wake up and it was a dream, but now it’s not going to happen.”

Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, Painesville police said they were called to a home in the 300 block of Sanford Street in reference to a shooting.

Son accused of shooting and killing father

RELATED: A 67-year-old man was shot and killed Sunday morning by his 23-year-old son, police say.

Officers arriving at the scene reported finding the body of 67-year-old Christopher J. Farmer.

His 23-year-old son, Christopher Paul Farmer, has been charged with murder.

There was a festive atmosphere in the area on Monday evening.

“Just silence,” Mullins said. “Like a numbness in the air.”

Neighbors couldn’t believe that the boy they had watched grow up was now accused of the unthinkable.

“They would have their fights and stuff, and he would go away, you wouldn’t see him for months, and then he’d show up again,” Mullins said. “I never dreamed something like this would happen.”

Christopher Farmer pleaded not guilty Monday to the charge of murdering his father.

Police have not publicly disclosed the attacker’s motive.

But on Sanford Street, it seems there’s more to the story than investigators are letting on.

“I think something bad is probably happening,” Bonnie Sirotick said as she sat on the steps outside her family home.

But what could it have been?

Neighbors say the family kept to themselves and was quiet.

Now they’re shocked by the ending, but they’re wondering what else they don’t know about what went on behind the family’s doors.

“You’re trying to wrap your head around what happened and you keep wishing it didn’t happen,” Mullins said. “(You) want to wake up and it was a dream. But it’s not going to happen now.”

Christopher Farmer remains in jail without bail.

He is due to appear in court again next Monday.