CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Fred and Freddie Swiger were fondly remembered Friday during funeral services, one week after being gunned down as they delivered newspapers near a known drug house.
Pastor Jim Dittmar talked about the special relationship the father and son had for one another and how they delivered the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram together for more than 30 years.
“Freddie stayed with his dad all of his life and he was there at the last moment. That just showed a father and son bond,” the pastor told MetroNews before the service.
The Swigers, 70 and 47, were on the job Friday morning July 26 when police say Sidney Muller, 27, of Fairmont, was inside the house on Locust Avenue. It’s alleged he shot and killed Christopher Hart, 26, and Todd Russell Amos, 29, over a drug debt. Police said once he was outside, Muller killed the Swigers.
“From a human standpoint, it’s a senseless event that took place,” Dittmar said. “It makes no sense that a person coming out of a house would shoot two innocent follks in the street.”
Friday’s funeral was attended by friends and family members, including some of the Swigers’ newspaper subscribers. Clarksburg police officers and city leaders were also on hand.
Muller remains in jail awaiting a preliminary hearing.