Florida man 'gunned down his neighbor' after crashing a U-Haul truck into his balcony

A construction worker is now facing murder charges after he was accused of gunning down his neighbor after crashing a U-Haul truck into his property.

Christian Freebourn, from Florida, crashed the vehicle into the balcony of his 57-year-old neighbor, Herbert Harris. He allegedly shot the man during an altercation related to the incident, and now is charged of second-degree murder .

Although Freebourn claims the truck collision was accidental, but the situation escalated when Harris told him he would have to pay for the damage.

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The incident occurred in May in Lithia, Florida, and Christian was arrested on June 21, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s arrest records. The 28-year-old works as a supervisor for a national home construction and real estate company, has pleaded not guilty, but remains in custody at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond.

Christian alleges that Harris then advanced towards him with raised arms in a "bear hug" motion, leading him to shoot Harris five times in "self-defense". Harris was struck once in the eye, twice in the neck, once in the leg, and once in the upper chest, and died at the scene.

Harris’ girlfriend, who was at home with him during the incident, reported hearing a loud crash and seeing the moving truck in a neighbor's parking spot after it hit their balcony.

She stated that she and Harris went outside to assess the damage and encountered Christian and his 13-year-old brother. She further claimed that Christian brandished a gun in his waistband during the confrontation.

Despite Christian's self-defense claims, he admitted to police that he did not see a gun on Harris but was told by Harris that he had one.

Though he expressed concerns about a previous wrist injury, a rotator cuff injury from jujitsu training, and the size disparity between him and Harris, fearing Harris might take his firearm. However, he did not indicate that he feared for his life due to Harris’s actions.

Christian's 13-year-old brother, who was with him in the truck, did not witness the shooting but heard him tell Harris to go back inside his house. The teenager then waited in the truck for several seconds before hearing four gunshots.

A neighbor also reported hearing loud talking followed by four to five gunshots. The witness saw Christian standing in the street with his arms outstretched but did not see a firearm, though they assumed he had one based on his stance.

Christian’s attorney has filed a public motion to set bond, highlighting that he has no prior criminal record, has been a construction manager for three years, and is a father of a 1-year-old child with another child on the way, as his wife is seven months pregnant.

The attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.