CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Law enforcement officials in North Carolina’s largest city announced on Friday that a lone gunman was responsible for the tragic incident last month where four officers were fatally shot. The shooting, which took place in a residential neighborhood, left four other officers wounded, marking it as the deadliest attack on law enforcement officers since 2016.
The incident occurred when officers from a U.S. Marshals Task Force tried to serve warrants at a home in Charlotte. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr., who was wanted in an adjoining county, engaged in a prolonged gun battle with the officers. The investigation revealed that Hughes acted alone and that no friendly fire was involved in the shooting.
Despite initial confusion that led to speculation about the presence of a second shooter, authorities confirmed that there was only one gunman involved in the incident. Hughes, armed with an assault rifle and a handgun, fired at officers from a second-floor window before eventually being shot in the front yard after attempting to flee.
Further details from the investigation revealed that Hughes instructed the females in the house to leave or take cover before opening fire on the officers. The intense exchange of gunfire between Hughes and law enforcement lasted over 17 minutes, with at least 12 officers firing their weapons.
Authorities emphasized the magnitude of the investigation, which included reviewing body-worn camera footage, conducting numerous interviews, and analyzing physical evidence. The tragic incident claimed the lives of four officers, including members of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and a Deputy U.S. Marshal.
The shooting prompted President Joe Biden to visit Charlotte and meet with the families of the fallen officers. Despite the devastating loss, Police Chief Johnny Jennings acknowledged the resilience of the department and its commitment to continuing their work in the face of this tragedy. As the community and law enforcement officers come to terms with the events, the impact of the incident remains a poignant moment in the history of the department.