Four law enforcement officers lost their lives, and four others sustained injuries while attempting to execute an arrest warrant in a Charlotte neighborhood.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirmed on Monday night that an officer involved in the shooting incident had tragically passed away.
During a press briefing earlier that afternoon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings recounted that the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force had been dispatched to a residence to execute a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Upon their arrival, they encountered gunfire, as reported by WBTV.
Following a three-hour standoff, law enforcement breached the suburban Charlotte home. Armored vehicles were utilized, forcibly entering the premises by smashing windows and doorways. The scene was chaotic, with armored vehicles strewn across yards, some bearing remnants of tree branches.
In the exchange of gunfire, one suspect, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, was fatally shot and pronounced dead in the front yard. Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony to elude out of Lincoln County.
Subsequent gunfire erupted from within the residence, prompting a prolonged standoff. A woman and a 17-year-old male were taken into custody as persons of interest. Additionally, law enforcement seized a high-powered rifle from the premises.
Chief Jennings disclosed that a total of eight officers were wounded, four from the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and four from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
“In the line of duty today, we mourn the loss of heroes who were committed to ensuring our community’s safety,” stated Chief Jennings during the press conference.
Tragically, three individuals lost their lives during the incident, one of whom was confirmed to be a U.S. Marshal by the agency.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections revealed that two members of the task force, Sam Poloche and Aledn Elliot, were veterans of their department. Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children, while Elliot and his wife were parents to one child.
Officer Joshua Eyer, a six-year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to offer support to those affected.
President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing condolences:
“Earlier today, four courageous law enforcement officers, including a Deputy U.S. Marshal, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. They are heroes who selflessly confronted danger to protect us. We grieve for them and their families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the brave officers wounded in the incident.
“When a law enforcement officer dons their badge each morning and heads out, their loved ones fear that dreaded phone call – the call that came today. It’s an unimaginable loss. To the families of the fallen: Jill and I, along with all Americans, stand with you in solidarity. We must do more to safeguard our law enforcement officers. This entails providing adequate funding to equip them and addressing the epidemic of gun violence head-on. It’s time for action from Congress to ban assault weapons, mandate safe gun storage, and implement universal background checks and a national red flag law. Enough is enough.
“May these fallen heroes rest in peace, and may God bless their families.”
He penned, “A distressing incident in Charlotte targeting our courageous law enforcement officers, who have pledged to safeguard and serve us all. Susan and I extend our prayers for everyone’s safety.”
Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement expressing her profound sorrow over the shooting involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals. She urged all residents of Charlotte to keep them, along with the other injured officers and their families, in their thoughts and prayers during this exceedingly challenging period.
Governor Roy Cooper also tweeted, affirming his communication with law enforcement “regarding the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area,” and offering state resources to assist.
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