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An argument over the barrel of a gun resulted in a Claysburg man killing his brother Saturday afternoon in Claysburg, police and court documents allege.
Larry M. Claar, 41, was taken into custody and arraigned Sunday by Bedford County Magisterial District Judge Brian K. Baker after allegedly shooting and killing his brother, Michael Claar, 46, at 298 Picnic Road, Kimmel Township.
Larry Claar has been charged with homicide, first- and third-degree murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.
Police said officers were contacted by Roger Claycomb at
8:22 p.m. Saturday night regarding the welfare of Michael Claar, who Claycomb said was working on a truck when he heard "five or six" gunshots.
Claycomb contacted police when Michael Claar failed to return after he left to check on the gunshots.
State police responding to the Picnic Road address discovered a pool of blood in the gravel parking area in front of the garage on the property, the criminal complaint stated, and blood-covered items were located in a burn barrel near the garage.
An investigation ensued, police said.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident began when Larry Claar allegedly fired several rounds at his brother's truck, causing Michael Claar to confront him about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Claycomb reported that after Michael Claar left to confront Larry Claar, Claycomb heard one additional gunshot, and Michael Claar did not return, the criminal complaint stated.
According to Claycomb, sometime after the final gunshot, Larry Claar was seen driving down the road once in an RV, then up and down several additional times in a blue Chevy pickup truck.
Larry Claar's son told police that he had seen his dad at the garage earlier, and he had left just before dark, court documents stated.
The son told police that Larry Claar could potentially be at the residence of David Smith.
When police checked in with Smith, he said that Larry Claar allegedly told him that he "had done something bad" and that he needed to clean up animal blood.
According to Smith, he also heard Larry Claar operating a tractor, and police reported a freshly excavated area of dirt behind Smith's property.
Smith told police that Larry Claar eventually asked to be dropped off at another residence to retrieve his vehicle.
Another friend, Keith Davis, told police that Larry Claar had asked to be dropped off in Hollidaysburg and to not tell anyone he had seen or been with him, court documents stated.
According to Davis' report to police, he dropped Larry Claar off at the Sheetz on Blair Street about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to Brenda Billotte, Larry Claar arrived at her Hollidaysburg residence about 11 p.m. Saturday and confessed to shooting his brother. Billotte told police that Larry Claar said he and his brother were fighting over the barrel of a gun and the gun went off, court documents state.
Larry Claar allegedly told Bilotte he buried Michael Claar and left the gun in the RV, court documents state.
Police allege Larry Claar cleaned the RV with bleach and excavated an area of dirt to hide the body on Smith's property along the 100 block of Mountain Penny Lane, Kimmel Township.
After receiving search warrants for the properties on Picnic Road and Mountain Perry Lane, Police said Michael Claar's body was discovered in the freshly excavated area on Smith's property.
Larry Claar was taken into custody Sunday on the 300 block of Bella St., Hollidaysburg, the criminal complaint stated, and he was issued his Miranda Rights at 12:29 p.m. Sunday.
He was denied bail due to the charges and is being held at the Bedford County Correctional Facility.
Larry Claar is to appear before Baker on Aug. 4 for a preliminary hearing at Bedford County Central Court.
Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.