APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in Apex, North Carolina, held a press conference to share findings of an investigation into a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two women and a dog. The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon.
According to Police Chief Jason Armstrong, the first call came in on the non-emergency line at 3:02 p.m. The caller reported a male resident, identified as Hardman, behaving loudly and waving a pool cue in the back of a townhome community complex. Authorities classified this as a crisis call, prompting a response from the department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
As the responders were on their way, a neighbor, described as an older lady, approached Hardman. Her identity was confirmed later as one of the victims, Nancy Taylor. Moments after this interaction, the caller reported hearing gunshots. Three minutes into this non-emergency call, the first officer was dispatched to the scene, followed by the first 911 call at 3:05 p.m.
During the 911 call from one of the victims, 37-year-old Gabrielle Raymond, no words were spoken. Only gunshots and screams were heard. The investigation has revealed that this was the moment when both Raymond and Taylor were shot.
Shortly after, several neighbors called 911 – one of them, a neighbor and gun owner, confronted the suspect, called 911, and challenged Hardman. No shots were exchanged, and Hardman retreated to his home.
By 3:09 p.m., officers arrived and confronted the suspect, leading to his arrest. Alongside the charges for the murders, Hardman faced animal cruelty charges after his dog was found dead inside the home.
The families impacted by this tragedy shared their thoughts through statements read by the chief, expressing their grief and desire for privacy to process the tragedy. This included a neighbor who confronted the suspect, and the families of both victims, Nancy Taylor and Gabrielle Raymond.
Chief Armstrong stated that the Apex Police Department had no prior criminal interactions with Hardman.