Special Operations Soldier Cleared in Shooting of Chechen National in North Carolina

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the fatal shooting of Ramzan Daraev, a Chechen national, on May 3, 2024, at the home of a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier on Dowd Road in Carthage, North Carolina. After a comprehensive review of evidence, including digital data, witness statements, and gunshot analysis, the Moore County District Attorney and Sheriff’s Office determined that no charges will be filed against the homeowner.

The shooting occurred under the North Carolina Castle Doctrine, which allows the use of defensive force when there is an imminent threat to personal or family safety within one’s home. The investigation confirmed that the homeowner’s actions were justified under this law.

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The incident unfolded in the evening when the homeowner’s wife noticed an unidentified man, later identified as Ramzan Daraev, taking photographs near their remote property. Concerned for their safety, she informed her husband, a Special Forces soldier, who then approached Daraev unarmed. According to the homeowner, Daraev became aggressive, refused to leave the property, and claimed to be a Chechen national who had fought in Ukraine as part of the Russian military. Investigators, however, could not confirm Daraev’s military history.

After Daraev’s refusal to leave and his increasingly hostile behavior, the homeowner retrieved a handgun to protect his family. The Sheriff’s Office reported that Daraev later lunged at the homeowner, prompting the homeowner to fire several shots in self-defense. This confrontation occurred just minutes after a second 911 call, during which the homeowner’s wife pleaded for faster law enforcement response.

Daraev, who was conducting utility work in the area, was found with only an International Driver’s License and a cell phone, which he was reportedly using to take photographs. He was dressed in casual clothing with no identification indicating his work. His vehicle, a Chevrolet Spark registered in Chicago, was parked along Dowd Road. The Sheriff’s Office noted that conducting utility work near dark on private property without proper identification or notifying homeowners is uncommon and potentially dangerous.

Further investigation revealed that Daraev was employed by Cable Warriors, a subcontractor of Utilities One, as part of a fiber optic expansion project in the area. Despite his employment, the circumstances of the shooting raised concerns about the practices of the utility subcontractors and the lack of communication with local residents.

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with federal agencies, including the FBI and the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), to review the operational background of the companies involved.

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