A former U.S. Army captain, Harry Hardman, 37, was arrested in Apex, North Carolina, this week following the fatal shootings of two women and a dog in a quiet neighborhood.
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at around 3 p.m., Apex Police Department officers responded to a disturbance call in the 1400 block of Chipping Drive.
As they approached the location, multiple calls were received reporting gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, first responders found two women in critical condition.
The victims, identified as Gabrielle Raymond, 37, and Nancy Taylor, 69, were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead from their injuries. Additionally, a dog was found shot dead at the scene, though ownership of the animal remains unclear.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene said Hardman retreated into his house following the shooting.
As police established a perimeter, he emerged from the backdoor armed with an AR-15 rifle but complied with commands to drop the weapon and was detained without further incident.
The Investigation revealed that Hardman and both victims resided in South Walk Townhomes. Taylor and Raymond were apparently friends, but their association with Hardman is yet to be fully determined.
The initial indication is that Taylor had approached Hardman due to a disturbance he was causing in the neighborhood, with Raymond joining the conversation shortly afterward.
As the discussion became heated, Hardman reportedly drew a firearm and shot both women. The AR-15 rifle he was later seen with is not believed to be the murder weapon. A search warrant executed at his residence led to the discovery of multiple handguns, one of which is suspected to be the firearm used in the shootings. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
A disturbing cellphone video provided by a neighbor showed a man, believed to be Hardman, ranting about needing to “cleanse” the country and calling for a “final solution,” as well as targeting graduates from prestigious institutions, including MIT, Harvard, and West Point, his alma mater. His shouting was the reason for the initial disturbance call to the police.
Neighbors described Hardman as a reckless driver, often speeding through the area. Taylor, who was the head of the homeowners association, may have been addressing these behaviors along with other concerns at the time of the incident.
The suspect is currently being held without bond at the Wake County Jail on two counts of murder and one count of animal cruelty. During his initial court appearance, he requested a court-appointed capital attorney and has not entered a plea. His next hearing is scheduled for February. 5.
