Double homicide suspect dead after chase, shooting with Surry County deputies; Mount Airy K-9 fatally wounded

SURRY COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Officials are providing more details in a situation that left a Mount Airy police K-9 and a homicide suspect dead this week.

According to the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday the Mount Airy Police Department was chasing a suspect wanted for a double homicide out of Cumberland County after a suspicious vehicle complaint, hitting another car head-on on Riverside Drive.

The suspects, Desmund Louis Moore, 42, Love Anna Smith, 45, Robert Matthew Gelsomino, 26, all of Fayetteville, ran away from the crash. Gelsomino was taken into custody and MAPD officers, along with Surry County deputies, continued to chase Moore and Smith into a wooded area off Paisley Drive.

Moore allegedly fired a gun at law enforcement. Mount Airy Police Department K-9 Draco was hit by gunfire, and both a deputy and officer returned fire.

“Moore was later found deceased from a gunshot wound,” the sheriff’s office release says.

Moore was wanted for the killings Taylor Duggins, 32, and Arthur Acosta, 21, in Hope Mills.

They were found dead at a job site by a co-worker, according to CBS17.

Draco was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.

“I am heartbroken over the loss of K9 Draco! K9 Draco is a hero for protecting the deputies and officers,” Sheriff Steve Hiatt said in the release. “The staff of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and I, have Chief Dale Watson and Corporal Hutchens, and all the law enforcement officers involved in the event in our thoughts and prayers. I want to thank all the agencies that assisted with the incident on Paisley Drive; Mount Airy Police Department, Surry County Emergency Services, Surry County Communications (E-911), Surry County Emergency Management, Patrick County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia), Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia), North Carolina Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina Wildlife Enforcement. All of these agencies coming together to work as one, just shows our unwavering commitment to support each other.”

Smith was taken into custody and charged with “duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident.”

The North Carolina State Bureau is investigating, as is standard procedure. The investigation is ongoing.

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