APEX, N.C. – A tragic shooting in Apex, North Carolina has left two women and a dog dead, and a former U.S. Army Captain is now facing charges of murder and animal cruelty. The suspect, Harry Hardman, 37, appeared in court on Tuesday to face these charges and has been appointed a capital defender. He is due back in court on February 5th.
The victims have been identified as 37-year-old Gabrielle Raymond and 69-year-old Nancy Taylor. Both women, along with Hardman, were residents of the South Walk Townhomes where the shooting took place. The details emerged that Hardman knew the victims and was in conversation with them before fatally shooting them.
The tragic incident unfolded around 3 p.m. on Monday when Apex police were called to the area of Brussels Drive at Chipping Drive in response to a disturbance, which escalated to a shots fired call. According to witnesses and video evidence, Hardman was causing a disturbance in the neighborhood, prompting the initial 911 call.
The situation quickly escalated as Hardman began to shout and scream in the street, leading to the fatal shooting of the two women and the dog. Police recovered multiple handguns from Hardman’s home after executing a search warrant, and they believe he used a handgun and not the AR-15 rifle to shoot the victims.
Neighbors and family members of the victims have spoken out, remembering both women and expressing shock and grief over the senseless tragedy. It remains unclear what motivated the shooting, as police are still investigating the incident.
The tragedy has shaken the community, with the Mayor of Apex expressing the town’s collective sadness and offering prayers for everyone involved. This heartbreaking event has underscored the need for communal support and unity in the wake of such devastating losses.