Charlotte, North Carolina – The final two autopsies for the four law enforcement officers who were killed in a shootout in east Charlotte on April 29th have been released. These autopsies shed new light on the tragic events that unfolded in the Shannon Park neighborhood, revealing details about how the shooter targeted officers from an elevated position.
It was a deadly day for law enforcement across the country, with Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, Jr. and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer losing their lives in the line of duty. The autopsies for these two officers were made public nearly two months after the fatal shooting.
During a news conference on May 31st, CMPD Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington confirmed that there was only one shooter involved in the incident, and none of the officers were hit by friendly fire. The autopsy reports provide vital information about the injuries sustained by Weeks, Jr. and Eyer, detailing how they were fatally shot.
Weeks, Jr. suffered a fatal bullet wound to his upper chest that traveled downward, while Eyer was hit in the back of his chest, with the bullet going through his stomach. These findings paint a clearer picture of the events that transpired on that fateful day in Shannon Park.
Investigations revealed that the shooter, Terry Hughes, Jr., opened fire on officers using an AR-15 rifle from the second-floor windows of a residence for over 17 minutes. Despite officers taking cover and returning fire, Hughes, Jr. continued to pose a threat, eventually jumping from the second floor and continuing to fire until his demise.
The body-worn camera footage from that day captures the chaos and intensity of the situation. While CMPD possesses this crucial evidence, the U.S. Marshals task force involved in the operation does not. However, plans are underway for the rollout of body-worn cameras for deputy marshals in the Carolinas in the coming weeks, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in such high-risk operations.
The release of the final two autopsies and the ongoing investigation into the events of April 29th serve as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. As the community mourns the loss of these brave individuals, the quest for justice and understanding continues.