by Former Army Captain Harry Hardman has been charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of animal cruelty following a tragic incident in Apex, North Carolina. The neighborhood was left in shock on January 15th when two residents and a dog were fatally shot.
The Apex Police Department had already received a call about a disturbance in the neighborhood when they received multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found two women and a dog suffering from gunshot wounds, and Hardman retreating into his home.
According to Chief Jason Armstrong, Nancy Taylor, the head of the South Walk Homeowners Association, approached Hardman after he had been making loud noises in the neighborhood. Taylor was joined by her friend, Gabrielle Raymond, and during their conversation, Hardman allegedly drew a gun and shot both women in a yard on Chipping Drive.
A neighbor captured a video of the incident, where a man can be heard shouting about a “final solution” and a “cleansing of the country.” However, it is unclear if this was Hardman.
As police set up a perimeter around Hardman’s residence, they witnessed him leaving through the back door with an AR-15 in hand. Hardman dropped the weapon upon officers’ commands and was arrested at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the AR-15 was not connected to the shooting, as several handguns were found in Hardman’s home.
Both Taylor and Raymond were rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries later that day. Additionally, a dog in the neighborhood was also shot and killed.
Hardman has been booked at Wake County Jail and could face the death penalty if convicted of the women’s murders. During his first appearance at the Wake County Justice Center, he did not enter a plea.
The incident has left the Apex community in mourning, and Hardman’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 5th, where he will be represented by a capital defender.
For more crime coverage, sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter to stay updated on breaking news, ongoing trials, and intriguing unsolved cases.
This tragic incident has shocked the Apex neighborhood, and the community continues to grapple with the loss of two beloved residents and a cherished pet.
