In my humble opinion, the hired hit man was there to kill Paul. Mom was a woops, sorry, but we can’t leave eye witnesses .
I think it's a possibility that one or even both of the murder weapons were Murdaugh guns.
I think we all agree that PM could be the hit and Mom was collateral -- but just one scenario.
If thinking the hitman brought a friend (as someone suggested up thread) is because two weapons were used, then probably PM wasn't the only target -- otherwise no need for two shooters.
But IMO, the guns were probably M guns -- wear gloves and no fingerprints/DNA: The red-roofed building is a large structure and it appears the kennels were a smaller, shallow white-roofed building between the red building and the woods (I would describe it as behind the red-roofed building). There is a good possibility that the guns were stored in the red building, near the dog housing, and probably other hunting gear like vests, jackets, wellies, etc. If guests or paying customers came to hunt, it would make sense to have a large selection of guns available right with the gear. I think at these kind of places the gear and guns are sometimes part of the fee. Sometimes these facilities are also used for executive outings and everyone wouldn't necessarily have a gun.
Additionally, if this were my property, I wouldn't want to store blood stained hunting clothes (the reality of hunting) and muddy boots up in the house, with the family Labrador going crazy over the smells. (Our Golden used to sit by my husband's hard gun case and gear if he he put it by the front door the night before -- she wouldn't budge all night and she had never even gone hunting -- the instinct was just bred into her.) Also, if the Ms owned a lot of guns, which they probably did, why take up space storing them in the house? Keep them near the caretaker for cleaning and maintenance.
My point is, in all likelihood it seems there would have been guns right near the crime scene for any shooter to use. If this was a planned hit, and a family member made the hire, it would be easy enough to provide a combination or hidden key to the stored guns, or the night before, leave the guns unlocked. OMO.
Another thought -- the timing seems late to be feeding dogs, and as someone else suggested and IMO, I doubt PM had many chores, certainly not feeding a dozen dogs. That leaves someone or something enticing him out of the house.
I'm just throwing out these thoughts -- I'm still of a mind the PM murder was targeted and personal. In addition to connections to the MB and SS cases, he had the potential to bring down the family dynasty both financially and in reputation.
Can't decide on whether MM was targeted, too, and in that case it's either "message received and heard," or someone placed a hit on the entire family and AM lucked out with the unplanned emergency.
My trial attorney husband always says, follow the Benjamins.
Just this mornings ponderings and OMO.
