Despite Self-Defense Claim, Lincoln Co. Man To Be Tried For Murder After Fatal Dispute With Neighbor

A Lincoln County man, who admitted to fatally shooting his neighbor, will go to trial for first-degree murder. 

Judge Emily Mueller bounded the case against Freddie Seamster to trial at a preliminary hearing on Friday. 

Seamster called the police to his home after shooting his neighbor, Lucas Goss.

Goss, 21, died from the injury. Both men were mowing their lawns prior to the shooting. 

Seamster said he shot Goss in self-defense after Goss threatened him multiple times and approached him with a “large stick,” according to court documents.

Seamster told deputies that he was on his property when he shot Goss and called 911 immediately afterward.

Related Story: Lincoln County Murder Suspect Released On Bond After Admitting To Shooting Neighbor

Property lines had been a point of contention for the two men prior to the shooting on July 5, according to Goss’ relatives. 

“(Goss) just wanted Freddie to stay off our property,” said Zina Davis, Goss’ mother. “That’s what this is all about, is he wanted Freddie to stay off our property and quit bugging me to buy it.” 

Deputies never found a stick they “considered a dangerous or deadly weapon,” according to court documents. 

Detective Larry Stover of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said in the hearing deputies did not find a shell casing on either property.

According to Seamster’s account of where Goss was during the shooting, “Goss was at the property line,” Stover said.  

Andrea Vanderpool, Goss’ fiancé testified she and Goss were the only ones on the property at the time of the shooting. She said she was folding laundry inside while he mowed their backyard. 

After hearing a gunshot, Vanderpool moved to the door to find Goss on the ground bleeding.

“He said, ‘Freddie shot me,’” she said in court.  

Speaking through tears, Vanderpool said she saw Seamster standing on their property as she called 911. 

“It breaks my heart all over again,” Vanderpool said after the hearing. “It’s like I’m standing there, holding him all over again.” 

Dispatch records showed he called 911 about 30 seconds before Vanderpool, attorney Jaye Mendros said on behalf of Seamster. 

Mendros also pointed to Goss’ criminal history during the hearing. 

In 2017, Goss pleaded guilty to threatening to “shoot up” a school in Pottawatomie County and was charged in 2021 with assault.  

Goss’ family said his anger partially stemmed from autism. 

“Lucas had a temper occasionally, but it was when he was provoked or when he was protecting his family,” Vanderpool said. 

Seamster is released on bond pending trial. An arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 14.