A quiet neighborhood in Conroe, Texas, was shattered Monday afternoon after a violent domestic incident left two women dead and a suspect in custody facing capital murder charges.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home on Shoreview Drive around 2:00 p.m. after reports of a vehicle crashing into the residence. Investigators say 57-year-old Stanley Earl Hardin allegedly drove his black GMC Sierra pickup truck directly into the home, causing significant structural damage as it tore through siding, insulation, and a front window before coming to a stop inside.
Authorities say the situation escalated quickly after the crash. Hardin allegedly entered the home and opened fire, killing his estranged wife, 50-year-old Tara Hardin, and her 80-year-old mother, Floris Wolford. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials revealed that Tara Hardin had called 911 moments before the shooting, reporting that her husband had just crashed into the house and was attempting to come inside. Investigators believe the call captured the urgency and fear leading up to the tragic events.
Family members told authorities the couple had been together for years and shared adult children, but had recently separated, with Tara staying at her mother’s home at the time of the incident.
After the shooting, Hardin fled the scene on foot. Authorities say he later went to his son’s home and asked for a ride back to his own residence, located several miles away. He ultimately surrendered to deputies without further incident.
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle confirmed that Hardin, who is a military veteran, has been charged with two counts of capital murder. He is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances leading up to the attack, including the couple’s recent separation, as the community grapples with the devastating loss.
