Police K9 killed during shootout with homicide suspect in Surry County, two others arrested

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A murder suspect who was wanted in connection with a shooting that killed two younger men on Tuesday was killed in Surry County.

According to the Surry County Sheriff's Office, the Mount Airy Police Department was involved in a vehicle chase with double homicide suspect 42-year-old Desmund Louis Moore after receiving a complaint about a suspicious vehicle.

Deputies said Moore later hit another vehicle head-on before he and two other passengers ran from the scene. Robert Matthew Gelsomino, 26, was caught a short time later and taken into custody by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Surry County Deputies and police chased Moore and Love Anna Smith,45, into a wooded area where deputies said Moore failed to comply with commands and began firing shots at law enforcement, hitting Mount Airy Police K-9 officer Draco.

Authorities said deputies and officers fired shots back at Moore in return. He was later pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.

Police K-9 Draco was taken to Foothills Veterinary Hospital where he later died.

"I am heartbroken over the loss of K9 Draco! K9 Draco is a hero for protecting the deputies and officers. The staff of Surry County Sherriff's Office and I, have Chief Watson and Corporal Hutchens, and all the law enforcement involved in the event our thoughts and prayers," said Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt. "All of these agencies coming together to work as one, just shows our unwavering commitment to support each other."

Deputies said Smith was charged with duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident. She is being held at the Surry County Detention Center under a $500 secured bond.

Moore was wanted in connection with a shooting that happened outside a home on the 3600 block of Yarborough Road, a Fayetteville address near Hope Mills.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said the 911 call came in a few minutes after 11 a.m.

Deputies found two men shot. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have now identified those men as Arthur Knight Acosta, 21, and Jefferson Taylor Duggins, 32.

The 911 caller told dispatchers that those two men were supposed to join him for a power washing job at a house in the area.

He said he heard gunfire while waiting in the house with the homeowner but thought nothing of it. After calling his workers multiple times because they were late, the man tracked their work truck's GPS to the gate of the house.

When he later walked outside to the gate, the man told dispatchers he was horrified by what he saw.

"My window got shot out in the truck and they're lying there. I need an ambulance here and I need the sheriff to come ASAP," the caller said.

It remains unclear what led up to the shootings. However, deputies have said the shooting was not random and there's no imminent threat to the rest of the county.

Deputies have not said if or how Moore knew the victims.

Some people questioned why Cumberland County Schools in the area weren't put on lockdown to which CCS responded in a statement saying in part:

"After consulting with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), it was determined that the situation on Yarborough Road did not warrant a full-scale lockdown. However, we did heighten awareness at schools in the area to ensure continued safety and vigilance."

NC Window Cleaning, the company that employed the two power washers who were killed issued a statement on Facebook asking people to donate to their families' respective GoFundMe saying:

"Tay (Duggins) was with NC Window Cleaning for going on 6 years. He leaves behind a wife and 5 children. Tay was my right hand and such a great person. Everywhere he went he seemed to run into a friend.

Arthur (Acosta) was with NC Window Cleaning for going on 3 years. He leaves behind his Mom, Dad, and three sisters. Arthur was a bright light in this world and had a whole lifetime ahead of him that was stolen. Such a well-mannered) young man that we are truly gonna miss."

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