Spencer Police Chief Gary Williams (left)
and other authorities examine murder
scene
A plain-view murder on a front porch not far for Spencer's main street caused a stir
in the town shortly before noon today. The gunshots were heard throughout the
downtown area.
The victim has been identified as William J. "Wild Bill" Freas, 29, of Beauty Street.
Two gunshots from a rifle were allegedly fired by Dreu Ferguson, a neighbor of Freas,
while the two stood on Freas' front porch.
The wounded man reportedly managed to get back into his house, leaving a trail of blood
on the porch. He then collapsed and died.
Authorities indicated Ferguson had engaged Freas in a dispute over someone
entering his house, but a motive was not ascertained.
Ferguson was earlier indicted in Roane County Circuit Court in the death of his
five-week-old son last May. His wife Jessica has also been charged with the
crime.
Freas house is located on a steep incline at the junction of
Beauty and High
Streets, one block from downtown
Victims house (left) and Ferguson residence (right) on High
Street
A man who either heard or saw the shooting ran to Cooper's Flowers, a short
distance away to call 911. Spencer Police responded quickly, but the shooter left
the scene in a car. The 911 caller was taken to the Spencer Police Department for
questioning.
An all points bulletin was issued for Ferguson, who was driving a 1993 Dodge Spirit, gray in color.
Neighbors said Freas was disabled and generally lived by himself, but had a wife and
child in Philadelphia.
Neighbors said Freas had been "a good friend for over two years."
Spencer Police Chief Gary Williams is investigating the murder. The Roane County
Sheriff's Department also responded to the 11:30 a.m. incident. The victim's body
has been taken to the State Medical Examiner's office.
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