Body buried in field identified as Lillington man

Lillington, N.C. — The Harnett County Sheriff's Office on Thursday released the identity of a man shot to death and buried in a field Lillington last weekend.

The state Chief Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Christopher Lee Freelove, 24, of Lillington.

Investigators say that David Eugene Gates, 42, of 291 J.M. Wallace Lane, has confessed to shooting someone last Friday night and burying the body in a field near his home. Gates faces charges of first-degree murder and has been denied bond.

The case began Friday when people reported a suspicious man asking passing drivers for a ride along Black Lane, authorities said. Drivers told deputies that the man said his friend had been shot on Tim Currin Road.

Deputies didn't find anything immediately, but over the weekend, they identified the hitchhiker and developed a lead on the possible location of a shooting, authorities said. On Monday, investigators located the homeowner, Gates, and recovered Freelove's body.

Authorities said Thursday that they are still trying to locate the hitchhiker, who they want for questioning.

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It's sad what happened. Dave doesn't have a criminal record, but the victim does, go figure. Maybe now, we'll have one less thug dealing crack to children, families, co-workers etc. He sold crack to Dave too, what a good friend. It's tragic, but one less drug dealer is great thing. Had the victim been sentenced to prison for all his crimes and not probation, maybe this wouldn't have happened. It was only a matter of time before the victim may have shot and killed somebody himself. Do an NCDOC inmate search and you will see what I mean. I know Dave quite well, he is a good natured guy, something is fishy with this Christopher Freelove AKA..C1. It would be nice if the hitch hiker came forward. What might he be trying to hide? Thoughts and prayers are out there for Dave and the victims family.

scottyr74
July 23, 2010 5:03 p.m.

well good 1 criminal gone, so society dosen't have to deal with him again, and another locked up probably for a long time, my neighborhood just got better and safer already, hence I don''t even live 3 miles from where the body was found, so i'll be sleeping a little better knowing at least 2 are gone from the area!!

james18
July 22, 2010 1:53 p.m.

I don't think most people are "implying" anything *onelove*,except maybe one more criminal we don't have to feed.

wcumom
July 22, 2010 12:39 p.m.

June 2010•Christopher Lee Freelove, 24,of South A Street, Lillington, was arrested after he allegedly broke into The Jump Off at 123 E. Broad St., Dunn, and stole more than $1,000 worth of clothing. Mr. Freelove was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, injury to property, and resisting public officer. He was held at the Harnett County Jail under $30,000 bond.

wcumom
July 22, 2010 10:32 a.m.

Agreed, GlassHalfFull. We all should know that just because Mr. Gates doesn't have a "record" doesn't mean he hasn't been involved with criminal activity. And just because Mr. Freelove was "well known to Law Enforcement" doesn't mean his actions warranted him being shot, killed, and buried in a field. I would think if he was acting in self-defense, he would have said that immediately. Charges of 1st degree murder and no bond = self defense? Unlikely.