While attempting to serve two warrants in Charlotte, North Carolina, four law enforcement officers were shot and killed, and another four were injured, according to authorities on Monday.
The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was executing active felony warrants for the felony flee to elude and the possession of a firearm by a felon at a property on the 5000 block of Galway Drive in the city’s North Tryon Division, targeting a male suspect at around 1:30 p.m. local time.
According to police, the man—later identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr.—started shooting and hit several officers.
The responding officers asked for quick support. According to reports, the suspect kept shooting as more police arrived.
Hughes allegedly took a gun with him when he left the house. Officers opened fire on Hughes because they believed he posed a “imminent deadly threat.” According to authorities, Hughes was subsequently declared dead at the scene.
After being shot at, eight officers were sent to nearby hospitals.
After arriving at the house, two girls were brought to the Law Enforcement Center to speak with detectives.
According to officials, three task force members were declared dead at the hospital on Monday night. Two of the task force members were 14-year Department of Adult Corrections veterans Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, as confirmed by a statement from Todd Ishee, North Carolina’s Secretary of Adult Corrections. It took some time to identify the third.
Ishee stated in a statement, “They were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities and they loved their work.”
Alden is survived by his spouse and one child, while Poloche is survived by his wife and two children.
Officer Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department suffered serious injuries and subsequently passed away, according to the authorities. He served in the military for six years. His wife and three-year-old child survive him.
In the incident, four other law enforcement officers suffered injuries. Their names are still unknown.
“What I’ve been saying for many years is that our officers showed bravery in the face of danger when they arrived to the site knowing they were going to encounter gunfire. “Our people show up,” Jennings remarked.
Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina announced on social media that he had spoken with police over the incident and that the state was willing to provide assistance.
Vi Lyles, the mayor of Charlotte, expressed her emotions and said she had support offers from the White House, Congressmen, and state leaders.
“Your father, your husband, your friend, your neighbor … and today they’re not going home,” she continued. “You know three people lost their lives today.”
Jennings claimed he could not recall a day like this in his more than thirty years working in the department.
“To me, it’s the most tragic one that I’ve been involved in,” he stated.
The four cops who lost their lives “are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” according to a statement released by President Joe Biden on Monday night. For them and their loved ones, we grieve. And we offer prayers for the brave officers who suffered injuries to heal.”
A statement earlier said, “The Justice Department is heartbroken by the deaths of three of our own law enforcement colleagues, and we extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones as they grieve this unfathomable loss.” Attorney General Merrick Garland made the statement.
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas made the following remark in a statement on Monday night: “The sad events in Charlotte tonight serve as a reminder of the threats that police enforcement faces nationwide. Our hearts go out to the families of all federal, state, and local law enforcement officials who have died or suffered injuries.”
