US Special Operations soldier under investigation in deadly shooting of accused trespasser in Moore County

CARTHAGE, N.C. (WNCN) – A deadly shooting earlier this month in Moore County has gained attention from the U.S. Army and the FBI.

Deputies of the Moore County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home along Dowd Road in Carthage on May 3 around 8:15 p.m. after a trespassing at a home was reported.

A 911 caller explained that a person had been “taking photos on the property” and “became aggressive” toward a resident outside of their home, the sheriff’s office said.

CBS 17 has confirmed the man suspected of pulling the trigger is a member of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, according to spokesperson Jacqueline Hill. At this time, the soldier’s rank and position within the command are not known.

The man killed as a result of the shooting has been identified as 35-year-old Ramzan Daraev from Chicago, Illinois, who appeared to have been shot multiple times, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies said they located Daraev nearly 250 yards from the roadway, along a powerline on the residential property.

Daraev’s identity was later confirmed through family members and an international identification that was discovered in his vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. At the time of his death, he was reported to have been working as a subcontractor for Utilities One, which is a company based in New Jersey. Investigators are still working to verify his official employment status, deputies said.

According to the news release, Daraev did not have any utility equipment, utility clothing or identification during the time of the shooting. The incident has been reported to the U.S. Department of Labor as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The FBI has also stepped in to help in the investigation, including providing a translator to assist with interviews of other reported Utilities One employees, the sheriff’s office said. Hill confirmed the primary investigating agency remains the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

“Investigators are diligently working to gather all relevant information prior to concluding the investigation, including autopsy reports and findings from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office,” the news release from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Once all facts have been collected and reviewed, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for a determination on whether criminal charges will be pursued.”

“The Moore County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation,” the statement added.

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