On July 16, 2010, 3:54 P.M., the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious person in the area of Black Lane, Lillington. Citizens reported that a subject was asking for a ride. The subject told citizens that a friend had been shot on Tim Currin Road. Deputies responded to the area of Black Road and Tim Currin Road. Deputies searched the area and contacted residents on Tim Currin Road. Deputies were unable to locate anyone with information of a shooting or the suspicious person.

The Sheriff’s Office received additional information on Saturday and Sunday that enabled investigators to identify the name of the suspicious person on Black Road and the possible location of the shooting. Deputies responded to the possible location on Saturday and Sunday but were unable to find any evidence of a shooting or anyone at the residence.

On Monday afternoon, Investigators were able to locate the owner of the residence which is located at 291 J.M. Wallace Drive, Lillington. The owner, David Eugene Gates, age 42, confessed to shooting a subject and then buried the body in a field.

Harnett County Sheriff’s personnel recovered the body at approx. 10:00 P.M. in a field off of 291 J.M. Wallace Drive. The body was sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office is Chapel Hill for an autopsy and positive identification.

Deputies have not been able to locate the suspicious person from Friday.

David Eugene Gates was charged with 1st Degree Murder and is being held at the Harnett County Detention Center with no Bond.