MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (Gray News) – The man accused of killing two window cleaners in North Carolina was shot and killed after a high-speed chase and shootout Wednesday, and a K-9 officer was also killed.
Officers shot and killed Desmund Moore around 3:30 p.m. between Paisley Drive and Beasley Road, authorities said.
Authorities said K-9 Draco was shot in the apprehension of the suspect and didn’t survive.
In a social media message, the Mount Airy Police Department paid tribute to Draco, saying to also “keep Draco’s handler Corporal Hutchens in your prayers. … Draco died a HERO and will be deeply missed.”
Mount Airy News said no other members of the police force were hurt in the confrontation.
According to Cumberland County deputies, Moore, 42, was the suspect in a deadly shooting of two men in front of a large home in Surry County on Tuesday.
Authorities identified the victims on Wednesday as 21-year-old Arthur Knight Acosta and 32-year-old Jefferson Taylor Duggins. Both men were from Fayetteville.
Duggins and Acosta were at the home to work, according to Broadcastify radio traffic.
The relationship between Moore and the two men is currently unclear, as is the motive for the shooting.
Dozens of first responders responded to the scene Tuesday, spanning the large home and its long, winding driveway, which was blocked off, and two bodies were visible near a work truck belonging to a company called NC Window Cleaners.
The driver’s side window of the work truck was shattered.
At least 10 evidence markers were scattered on the ground, which could mark gun shell cases from the shots that were fired.
WRAL News tried speaking with the owner of the home, Dr. William Wiggs. He declined to comment.
In a 911 call placed by a woman, believed to be Wiggs’ wife, she identified herself as the homeowner and said she was safe inside the home but could see the front of the gate on camera.
Another 911 call was placed by someone who said they worked with the men.
“I heard gunshots about 20 minutes ago,” the caller described to the 911 operator. “I was there working. They were supposed to be there at 10:30, but they hadn’t showed up yet.”
The caller became emotional when he found out the workers died, saying, “Oh my God, please tell me I am dreaming.”
A third 911 caller, also believed to be a worker, provided even more details.
“I was at the house waiting on my workers to get here, about 20 minutes ago,” the caller said. “I heard gunfire, didn’t think nothing of it, and my guys were late, so I walked up to the gate to see where they were and they are lying up there, and I believe they are dead but my window is all shot out on the truck, and they are laying up there. I need ambulance here. … I don’t know if there is an active shooter in the area or not.”
The caller indicated the company was a window washing and power washing company.
Moore was previously arrested in 2016 and charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman, authorities said.
Copyright 2024 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. WRAL via CNN Newsource contributed to this report.