How do the various residents of the Cause attempt to explain the shooting in the opening pages of the novel, Deacon King Kong?

The residents of the Cause have several theories to explain the shooting. Veronica Gee says that Sportcoat had rheumatic fever. Bum-Bum says Sportcoat was under an evil spell, or mojo. Izi Cordero says her gangster ex-husband, Joaquin, is blackmailing Sportcoat into shooting Deems. Hot Sausage, Sportcoat’s best friend, claims the shooting is over a baseball game.