Wilmington boat store owner indicted on murder charge

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington boat store owner has been indicted on a murder charge.

District Attorney Jon David said a Bladen County grand jury indicted David Wayne Gore this morning for second-degree murder in the death of Allen W. Blanchard, 34, of Wilmington.

Investigators say in December Gore, 57, went to Bladen County in search of a boat stolen from his Wilmington business. During his search they say he ran across Blanchard and David Thau loading scrap metal at an abandoned factory. During the confrontation Gore shot Blanchard in the head.

In a 911 call Gore admitted he was the shooter and said, “I screwed up.”

Gore was initially charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and posted bond the same day.

After Blanchard died from his injuries, investigators charged Gore with murder. He again posted a $100,000 bond, which Blanchard’s widow called “unjust.”

The boat Gore was looking for was not found.