Ribbons support shooting victim

 MISSOULA (AP) — Red, black and gold ribbons signifying the German national flag hung from all the mailboxes along a cul-de-sac in a Missoula neighborhood Friday in honor of a slain 17-year-old exchange student, with one notable exception.

The ribbonless home of Markus Kaarma, the 29-year-old homeowner accused of shooting into his dark garage Sunday and killing Diren Dede, had a new sign posted: “No Solicitors.”

Kaarma, his partner Janelle Pflager and their 10-month-old child have remained in the home since Kaarma posted $30,000 bond Monday. He declined to speak to an Associated Press reporter on one occasion when he stepped outside Wednesday.

A court hearing has been set for May 12 for Kaarma, who faces a charge of deliberate homicide. But court officials said Friday that date is subject to change.

Kaarma’s attorney, Paul Ryan, said Kaarma plans to plead not guilty. He had been burglarized twice before, and he feared for his and his family’s life when motion sensors and a video monitor showed an intruder in his garage after midnight Sunday, Ryan said.

The intruder turned out to be Dede, a high school soccer star who was to return to his home in Hamburg in June after the school year ended. The boy was unarmed, and authorities have declined to say what he was doing in the garage.

Missoula County deputy attorney Andrew Paul did not return a call for comment Friday.

Julie Reinhardt of the German consulate in San Francisco said the German government will be closely following the case against Kaarma. Prosecutors have told consulate officials the legal proceedings will be speedy and thorough.

“That was very reassuring for us,” she said.

The shooting has led to grief and support in the Missoula neighborhood where Dede was killed. The mailbox ribbons and a memorial that appeared on the lawn of Randy Smith and Kate Walker, the family who hosted Dede, are ways the neighbors have expressed their solidarity.

“This neighborhood’s really hurting. It’s not something we ever expected to happen here,” Walker said.

A vigil was planned Friday night at the Fort Missoula soccer fields for Dede, who was an all-state soccer player for Big Sky High School. He started playing soccer the day he arrived in Missoula in August and quickly made friends, his host family said.

“Two weeks before school started, he had 60 good buddies, and when school started, he was one of the guys,” Smith said.

Dede’s father sent his son’s body back to Germany on Wednesday. A memorial is planned in Hamburg before a burial in Turkey, where the family is originally from. Smith and Walker said they are planning to attend the funeral.