Fort Liberty special ops soldier being investigated in Moore County fatal shooting
A Fort Liberty special operations soldier is under investigation in Moore County after officials say he shot and killed a utility worker who was taking photographs on his property May 3, according to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Ramzan Daraev, 35, of Chicago, died in the shooting reported about 8:15 p.m. outside a home on Dowd Road in Carthage. The soldier’s name was not released.
The Sheriff’s Department said Daraev was in the area working as a subcontractor for Utilities One.
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According to a news release, a 911 caller reported someone was taking photographs and “had become aggressive towards another resident outside their home.”
When law enforcement arrived on the scene shortly after 8:30 p.m., they found Daraev with gunshot wounds lying near a powerline approximately 250 yards from the road onto the property.
“Identification was not found on Daraev; however, his identity was later confirmed through family members and an international identification located in his vehicle,” the news release said.
Daraev was reportedly working as a subcontractor for Utilities One, a company based in New Jersey,the Sheriff's Office said. According to the company's website, their contractors work on infrastructure for telecommunications providers, electric and gas utilities and wireless carriers.
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“Investigators are still working to verify his official employment status. At the time of the incident, Daraev was not in possession of any utility equipment, utility clothing, or identification,” the release said, noting the shooting was reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Sheriff's Office said the Federal Bureau of Investigations was called in to provide a translator to assist with interviews of other reported Utilities One employees.
“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 release said. “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 release said the Moore County Sheriff’s Office is “committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.”
Online petition
An online Change.org petition purportedly created by Daraev's family claims Daraev was taking photographs on the property to show work he'd completed. It identifies him as originally from Chechnya.
"For an unknown reason, this man fired several shots and brutally took the life of Ramzan ... Ramzan left Russia, not realizing that the greatest injustice against him would be done in a free country, where, in theory, he should have received protection," the petition, posted May 7, reads.
It goes on to state that the shooter was released after a "short interview" with law enforcement and that Daraev was shot in the hands, twice in the back and in the face.
A spokesperson with the US Army Special Operations Command said the soldier involved is a member of USASOC.
“Per policy, we do not comment on active investigations to protect the process’ integrity. We appreciate the dedication of the Moore County Sheriff’s Department as they investigate," the USASOC statement said.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fort Liberty soldier investigated in Carthage, NC fatal shooting
