North Carolina Neighborhood Rocked by Deadly Shooting Spree: Two Women Killed, Dog Dead, Ex-Army Captain Arrested

Apex, North Carolina residents were left reeling after a shocking turn of events on January 15th. What began as a reported disturbance call quickly escalated into a deadly shooting spree, leaving two women and a dog dead and a former Army captain facing capital murder charges.

Police were already responding to a call about a loud disturbance in the South Walk Townhomes neighborhood when their radios crackled with reports of gunfire around 3:00 p.m. 

Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a gruesome sight: two women, Nancy Taylor and Gabrielle Raymond, lying wounded with gunshot injuries. A frantic search led them to a nearby residence where they found the suspect, Harry Hardman, retreating inside.

Investigators believe Hardman, a resident of the same neighborhood, had been making loud noises prior to the shooting, prompting Nancy Taylor, the head of the local homeowners association, to confront him. 

The exact details of their exchange remain unclear, but it was soon joined by Gabrielle Raymond, a friend and neighbor of Taylor. It was then, according to police, that Hardman allegedly drew a weapon and opened fire, fatally wounding both women in a nearby yard.

Adding to the chilling scene, a neighbor's video captured unsettling audio of a man shouting about a "final solution" and "cleansing the country," while also promoting violence against graduates of prestigious universities. While authorities haven't confirmed if Hardman was the individual making these disturbing statements, it casts an ominous shadow over the already tragic event.

Following the shooting at the Taylor home, police tracked further gunfire to a nearby street where they observed Hardman exiting his residence, an AR-15 rifle in hand. 

After complying with officers' orders to drop the weapon, he was apprehended and taken into custody. While the AR-15 wasn't linked to the initial shooting, authorities found several handguns within Hardman's home believed to be the murder weapons.

Nancy Taylor and Gabrielle Raymond, both beloved members of the community, were rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries. The death of a local dog, possibly belonging to Taylor, further compounded the tragedy. 

Hardman, meanwhile, faces two counts of capital murder and one count of animal cruelty. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 5th, where he will be represented by a capital defender.

 

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