An Army special operations officer is under investigation after fatally shooting a man outside his home near Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg. The incident occurred on May 3 in Carthage, North Carolina, approximately 35 miles west of the U.S. Army base.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department reported that deputies responded to a 911 call at 8:15 p.m. about a trespasser who had become aggressive. Upon arrival, they found Ramzan Daraev, 35, shot dead. Daraev, originally from Chechnya and residing in Chicago, was identified through family members and an international ID found in his vehicle.
The shooter, an unnamed Army special operations officer residing at the property, has not been charged with a crime as the investigation continues. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and local law enforcement are involved in the probe.
Witnesses reported that Daraev and another man, Dzhankutov Adsalan, were found near the soldier’s home. Daraev was allegedly taking photos of the property, leading to an altercation during which he was shot multiple times. Adsalan, who was in a vehicle nearby, was questioned and released by authorities.
Sheriff Ronnie Fields stated that Daraev was found approximately 250 yards from the roadway along a powerline on the residential property. Initially, no identification was found on Daraev, but his identity was later confirmed through family members. The sheriff’s department noted that Daraev did not have any utilities equipment or clothing with him at the time of the shooting.
The FBI provided a translator to assist local law enforcement in interviewing witnesses, including those who claimed to be Daraev’s coworkers. The FBI is not currently leading the investigation but remains in regular contact with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office and is prepared to investigate if a federal matter arises.
Defense Department spokeswoman Jacqueline Hill acknowledged the incident, stating that it remains under investigation and that no further comments would be made to protect the investigation’s integrity. The family of Daraev has started a Change.org petition seeking charges against the soldier, alleging that Daraev was unarmed and unaggressive when he was shot.
All parties involved, including the Army officer, are reportedly cooperating with authorities.
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