Harry Hardman: Former US army captain arrested for killing two women and dog in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: This week, a former US Army captain in North Carolina was arrested for allegedly killing two of his neighbors. The women were fatally shot in front of his house, following multiple reports from other neighbors about his disruptive behavior and noise disturbances.
Authorities announced on Monday, January 15, that Harry Hardman, 37, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of murder and one count of animal cruelty.
The charges are related to the alleged killings of Gabrielle Raymond, 37, and Nancy Taylor, 69, at the scene. Hardman is also accused of shooting and killing a dog during the incident.
When were the authorities informed about the incident?
According to a press release from the Apex Police Department, on January 15, officers at about 3 pm responded to calls regarding a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 block of Chipping Drive, about 5 miles west of Raleigh.
While on their way, dispatchers received multiple additional calls reporting that shots had been fired.
After arriving at the scene, first responders located two female victims in need of “immediate medical attention.”
The victims, later identified as, Raymond and Taylor, were rushed to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead.
A dog was also shot and died at the scene. It is unclear who owned the dog.
Hardman retreated into his residence after the shooting
Officers at the scene said they saw Hardman retreating into his residence after the shooting. While police were setting up a perimeter around his home, Hardman was seen exiting the backdoor armed with an AR-15 rifle.
Complying with instructions to relinquish the rifle, Hardman was apprehended without any resistance. Notably, both the accused and the victims, Gabrielle Raymond and Nancy Taylor, resided in South Walk Townhomes.
What did the authorities say?
“We have learned that Ms Taylor and Ms Raymond were friends, but we do not know the extent of their association with Mr Hardman, beyond neighbors,” police said in a press release.
“Around 3 pm on January 15th, Mr Hardman was outside in the neighborhood being loud, causing a disturbance, which prompted the initial call to Apex Police. While Mr Hardman was outside causing the disturbance, Ms Taylor came up to him and began speaking with him," the statement further read.
"It is not known, at this time, the specifics of their conversation. While Ms Taylor was speaking with Mr Hardman, at some point, Ms Raymond joined the two of them,” it continued.
The motive for the shooting
Authorities said that at some point while the three were talking, Hardman “produced a gun and shot both victims."
Law enforcement highlighted that the AR-15 rifle is not suspected to be the firearm used in the deadly shootings.
Following the execution of a search warrant at Hardman's residence, investigators reported recovering multiple handguns. Among them, one is believed to be the weapon used in the murders.
While authorities have not speculated on the motive for the shooting, a neighbor sent Raleigh NBC affiliate cellphone footage of a man, believed to be Hardman, screaming about the need to “cleanse” the country and calling for a “final solution” just before the shooting.
“We need to cleanse our country,” the man can be heard shouting in the video. The man can also reportedly be heard calling for the deaths of all graduates from MIT, Harvard, and West Point, his alma mater.
According to neighbors, Hardman was recognized for speeding through the neighborhood, and individuals suggested that Taylor, who served as the head of the homeowners association, might have been attempting to address concerns about his high-speed driving and other behavioral issues.
Presently, Hardman is detained at the Wake County Jail without bail. During his initial appearance on Tuesday, January 16, he requested a court-appointed capital attorney and has not entered a plea, as reported by WTVD. His next hearing is slated for February 5.
