CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Eight law enforcement officers were shot, with four tragically losing their lives, during a confrontation outside a residence in North Carolina. The officers were serving a warrant to an individual wanted for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. This incident marked the deadliest attack on US law enforcement since 2016.
The officers involved in the confrontation included three agents from the US Marshals Service working on a fugitive task force and a police officer who had recently been commended as the department’s officer of the month. As they approached the home in Charlotte, the individual named in the warrant opened fire on them, leading to a fatal exchange of gunfire.
A second shooter inside the residence began firing on officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department, resulting in injuries to four officers. The fallen federal marshals were identified as William “Alden” Elliott, Sam Poloche, and Thomas Weeks Jr, with Thomas having served on the Marshals Service for 13 years.
Police officer Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department succumbed to his injuries at the hospital following the confrontation. Chief Johnny Jennings praised the officers as heroes who willingly faced grave dangers in the line of duty. A “high-power rifle” was recovered from the residence, and two individuals, including a 17-year-old, were taken in for questioning.
The governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, extended his condolences to the families and colleagues of the fallen officers. The community mourned the loss of dedicated individuals who had devoted their careers to law enforcement. Mayor Vi Lyles expressed grief over the tragedy and emphasized the importance of honoring the officers’ sacrifices.
Authorities identified the individual named in the warrant as Terry Clark Hughes Jr, who was sought for illegal possession of a firearm as a felon. Further details about the second shooter were not disclosed. Police are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances leading up to the fatal confrontation and have questioned two women who were present at the scene.
The tragic event left a deep impact on the law enforcement community in Charlotte, with Chief Jennings describing it as the most devastating incident in his three decades with the police department. As the community grappled with the loss, support poured in from state officials and the White House to assist in honoring the fallen officers and providing resources for the grieving community.