Man smashes U-Haul truck into neighbor's balcony before 'gunning him down' in unhinged attack

A construction worker from Florida , Christian Freebourn, is now facing murder charges after allegedly shooting his neighbor following a dispute that arose when he crashed a U-Haul truck into his property.

Freebourn reportedly drove the vehicle into the balcony of 57 year old Herbert Harris. The situation escalated when Harris demanded payment for the damage caused by what Freebourn claims was an accidental collision.

The incident took place in Lithia, Florida , in May, with Freebourn's arrest occurring on June 21, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's arrest records. The 28 year old, who 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.

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Freebourn alleges that Harris approached him with raised arms in a "bear hug" motion, prompting him to shoot Harris five times in what he claims was self-defense. Harris was hit 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 during the incident, reported hearing a loud crash and seeing the moving truck in a neighbour's parking spot after it had struck their balcony, reports the Mirror US .

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.

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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 neighbour 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.