Is it so impossible for you to believe that violence CAN exist close to home? I say carry a hickory pick handle in the backseat and watch Eastwood in "Pale Rider" before you leave.
No, not at all. In fact I know it can happen here. See fern's post.
I dofind it hard to believe that something of that magnitude could happen in a town of this size, and that I would hear nothing about it. I work in a store where we see lots of travelling climber's, I know some of the local police force, and my boss is heavily involved in many local organizations and such. So we are out there, and we heard NOTHING. Leads me to doubt.
So, like I said, I doubt the truth of THIS particular story.