Police said a husband and wife were shot inside their home in the 6700 block of Potters Court. Officials said 68-year-old Ann Awaldt was pronounced dead at the scene, while 48-year-old Todd Awaldt was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he later died.
When officers began an extensive search of the Farmington subdivision for the suspect, they found 29-year-old Allen Thomas on Christina Street. Thomas was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police believe Thomas ran out of the house after the married couple was shot, along with their dog, and shot himself just a few streets away.
Authorities say Thomas was a former Fort Bragg solider and lived around the corner from his victims, but as far as they know Thomas did not know the Awaldts'.
Fayetteville police believe this was a completely random act of violence although both families are connected to Fort Bragg.
Thomas was a retired soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division who had been on multiple deployments, and Ann Awaldt was a manager at the Post Exchange on Fort Bragg.
Devastated friends of the couple shared their thoughts with ABC11.
"A sweet, kind and meticulous lady who would brighten your work day," was how Ann's longtime co-worker described her.
"They never did anything to anybody...they were just wonderful, wonderful people...to die like this, it doesn't make sense," added long time family friend Jackie Morgan of the loving couple.
Friends say the couple had been together since Todd was 19 despite their 20 year age difference; Saturday was Todd's 48th birthday.
The Awaldt family is now in town making arrangements for their parents. Ann has a daughter who lives in Wilmington. The couple did not have children together.
Police will continue to investigate what led up to the shooting and they hope that 911 calls made by Thomas' wife will provide some answers.
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