Why did the Generalissimo...

...shoot the pigeon?

Because he was staging a coo.  

And why did the Generalissimo shoot the clock twice?

Because it was staging a cuckoo.

Why did he shoot his German wife, from whom he was separated?

Because she was estranging.  Ach, du.  

The barnyard realtor?

Because he was staging a coop.  

All well and good.  But why, then, did he shoot the warden who, in his spare time, dabbled in cooking?

Because he was caging a stew.