On May 3, 2024, 35-year-old Ramzan Daraev was fatally shot near a residence on Dowd Road in Carthage, North Carolina. The homeowner, an unnamed U.S. Army Special Forces officer stationed at Fort Liberty, reported encountering Daraev taking photographs near his property around 8:15 p.m. The officer's wife, who was outside with their children, observed Daraev and alerted her husband. When the officer approached and asked Daraev to leave, Daraev allegedly became aggressive and refused. The situation escalated when Daraev reportedly claimed to be a Chechen national who had served in the Russian military and fought in Ukraine, though investigators could not verify this claim. Fearing for his family's safety, the officer retrieved a handgun from his home. According to his account, Daraev then lunged at him, prompting the officer to fire multiple shots, resulting in Daraev's death.
Daraev was employed by Cable Warriors, a subcontractor for Utilities One, and was conducting surveys for a fiber optic expansion project in the area. At the time of the incident, he was not wearing any utility worker identification or attire, nor did he have equipment indicating his role. His vehicle, a Chevrolet Spark registered in Chicago, Illinois, was found parked along Dowd Road. Inside, deputies discovered an international driver's license but no utility-related items. A second individual, Adsalam Dzhankutov, also working in the area, was detained and questioned. He reported hearing several gunshots but did not initially associate them with Daraev. Digital evidence showed that Daraev had been photographing power poles near the residence, which the homeowner perceived as suspicious, especially given the lack of identification and the late hour.
The Moore County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, including reviewing evidence, witness statements, and the pattern of gunshot wounds. They concluded that the homeowner's actions were justifiable under North Carolina's Castle Doctrine, which permits the use of defensive force when there is a perceived imminent threat to personal and family safety within one's home or property. Consequently, no charges were filed against the officer. The incident was also reported to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for further assessment of the work practices involved.
Daraev, originally from Chechnya, had entered the United States in December 2022 and was residing in Chicago. His family has expressed deep concern over the circumstances of his death, disputing claims of aggression and asserting that he was unarmed and merely performing his job duties. They have called for a more in-depth investigation into the incident. The case has garnered significant attention, raising discussions about property rights, self-defense laws, and the protocols for utility workers operating near private residences.
