Wilmington business owner facing additional charges

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County business owner originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of a Kelly man last December now faces additional charges after being indicted by the Bladen County grand jury.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, David Gore, 57, was indicted Oct. 1 for one count each of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree kidnapping in the death of Allen Blanchard.

In December 2017, a boat was stolen from Gore’s boat shop in Wilmington. Investigators say Gore went searching his missing boat after receiving a tip that it was in Bladen County. He found two men at an abandoned lumber mill.

Sheriff’s spokesman Maj. Larry Guyton said Gore allegedly shot Blanchard, 34, in the head and he later died from his injuries.

A trial date of February 18, 2019 has been set.