Four law enforcement officers killed and four injured in Charlotte
Two NC Dept. of Adult Correction investigators, a CMPD officer and a deputy U.S. Marshal were killed. Police are not ruling out a second shooter, the investigation is ongoing.
Yesterday afternoon, four law enforcement officers were fatally shot and four others injured while attempting to serve a warrant in Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), U.S. Marshals Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, CMPD's Crime Scene Investigations, CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, N.C. State Highway Patrol, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team, MEDIC, and the Charlotte Fire Department all responded to the scene, officials said.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when officers from the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force went to an east Charlotte residence on Galway Drive to execute a warrant for a felon in possession of a firearm.
Upon arrival, the task force officers encountered gunfire from a suspect armed with a rifle. Tragically, four officers lost their lives in the exchange of fire. The suspect was killed by return fire from responding officers.
The CMPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) began negotiations with other occupants in the house. Two females, one of whom is 17, exited the residence and were transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by detectives.
Upon securing the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the residence. The deceased suspect has been identified as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39. Police said Hughes was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina. He had a lengthy criminal history, according to state records.
The city’s mayor, Vi Lyles, said during Tuesday’s news conference: “Charlotte isn’t going to be the last place that this happens, but Charlotte will be the place that will heal – that will heal with dignity and respect for everyone.”
“The investigation is being conducted by CMPD’s Homicide Unit. This is an active and ongoing investigation. As is standard procedure with any officer-involved shooting, the CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation,” police said in the release.
Today, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that one deputy U.S. Marshal was among the deceased. Also today CMPD and officials released all eight names. The four deceased officers are:
Tommy Weeks, Deputy U.S. Marshal
Joshua Eyer, CMPD
Sam Poloche, NC Dept. of Adult Correction
Alden Elliott, NC Dept. of Adult Correction
Hughes retreated into the home before he could be arrested. As law enforcement agents set up a perimeter around the residence, Hughes reportedly opened fire with an AR-15 rifle from a second-story window, striking 8 officers. He jumped out of the second-story window onto an awning when officers shot and killed Hughes, according to police reports.
An AR-15 rifle and a .40 caliber handgun, along with additional magazines and ammunition were recovered from the scene, according to Jennings.
The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) began operations in January of 2018 under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The CRFTF is the newest Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. With partnership agreements with over 70 federal, state, or local agencies and 11 fully operational offices, the CRFTF has been able to apprehend over 8,900 fugitives since its inception successfully. “The CRFTF has made an extraordinary impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives striving to make their communities a safer place,” the website said.
Rutherford County deputies have historically been on the task force for different investigations, but Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg exclusively confirmed to Cops & Congress that no one is currently serving on the CRFTF, and no RCSO staff was involved in yesterday’s incident.
During the press conference yesterday and today, Jennings expressed profound sorrow, calling the incident the deadliest shooting involving CMPD during his 32-year tenure with the department. "It’s a tragic day for the city of Charlotte and the profession of law enforcement," he lamented.
Jennings commended the courageous response of the officers who put themselves at risk to aid their colleagues under fire and expressed gratitude to neighboring agencies for their swift assistance. The community of Charlotte and western North Carolina mourns the loss of these brave officers and stands in solidarity with their families and colleagues during this difficult time.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
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