WAGONER, Okla. — Police and neighbors are speaking out after a domestic dispute between a father and son turned into Wagoner's first homicide of the year.
Dana Kühlmann told 2 News she still chokes up trying to recall what she saw the morning of May 19.
"You don't see someone get killed every day."
She said her son was playing outside with the family dog when she looked out the window and saw a stranger dragging who police say was his elderly father into her yard.
Kuhlmann said her husband then immediately ran out to confront who investigators identified as Michael Notarnicola.
"He said, 'What are you doing?' and the man said, 'This is my father, and he made me choose between him and my daughter,'" Kuhlmann said. "And then he kicked him again, and I told him to stop. He said, 'Yeah, I'm getting hot. I'll have a drink.' And he walked away."
But the suspect didn't get far.
Police said they were able to trace Notarnicola from where he left the scene through a patch of woods and back to his own house with a literal blood trail leading about one hundred yards. The blood trail was reportedly visible in the morning dew on the grass.
Wagoner Police Department Lieutenant Clarence Collins credited his unit's quick response and arrest, taking fewer than 15 minutes.
"All the officers that work here is (sic) very involved in their community, and they love their job, and they love what they do," Lt. Collins said in a news conference Friday.
Lt. Collins said 73-year-old Donald Notarnicola died from injuries due to blunt force trauma three days later, raising his son's charge to first-degree murder.
He is currently jailed without bond.
Kuhlmann said after the shocking scene next to her house, she'll be holding her family a little closer.
"We should all love each other and just try to work out things and not ever get so angry," she said.
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