CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Four law enforcement officers were killed, and four others were injured in what became a standoff Monday in a Charlotte neighborhood.
Four officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were injured in the shooting, police said, including Joshua Eyer, who died from injuries later Monday night. Four other officers working on a U.S. Marshal's task force were also shot. Three of them died from their injuries, according to Charlotte police.
Around 1:30 Monday afternoon, U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement officers went to a typically quiet Charlotte neighborhood to serve a warrant at a home on the 5000 block of Galway Drive.
The warrant was for 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, who was wanted in Lincoln County for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude, according to a Facebook post by Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam.
“Absolutely tragic for the city of Charlotte and the profession of law enforcement,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said at a Monday afternoon news conference. “Today, we lost heroes.”
"As officers approached, the male subject discharged his firearm striking multiple officers. These officers requested immediate response from other officers. As officers responded, the gunfire continued, striking additional officers," police said.
Authorities said Hughes came outside and fired at them before being shot in the home's front yard. Hughes died at the scene, police said. After Hughes was shot, Jennings said a second person from inside the home began shooting at officers.
Police have not released any information on the second shooter, but said a high-powered rifle was found inside the home.
Officers initially said a woman and 17-year-old boy were found in the house, but later described the pair as "two females." Jennings said they have both been taken in for questioning.
“Tonight we are mourning the loss of two members of our corrections family. Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott were both 14-year NC Department of Adult Correction veterans. They were task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force,” N.C. Secretary of Adult Correction Todd Ishee said.
Poloche was a husband and father of two, and Elliot leaves behind a wife and child.
"These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state. We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident," Ishee said.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said at about 5 p.m. the area was considered safe again, and residents no longer needed to shelter in place. Earlier, police warned the public to stay away or indoors while they investigated for a couple of hours.
The incident created a lot of impacts for nearby residents, schools and businesses whose Monday afternoon was interrupted by the sudden violence. Law enforcement officials said they closed some roads to help ambulances get to the hospital faster, and the police department's SWAT team was at the scene.
Devonshire Elementary School, Briarwood Academy, Cochrane Collegiate and Lawrence Orr Elementary School all tightened security and went on modified lockdowns during the incident, but gave the all-clear at about 4 p.m.
Gov. Roy Cooper quickly called the incident "tragic" and offered state resources to help law enforcement.
Later Monday night, he spoke at Atruim Health and said support from all over the country had been coming in, including from President Joe Biden.
"Earlier today, four brave law enforcement officers — including a Deputy U.S. Marshal — were killed in the line of duty. They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us. We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded," Biden said via a late-night statement.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles also shared a statement, calling on people to support law enforcement.
"I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred that involved Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals today. I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," she said on X Monday afternoon.
Lyles also spoke at the afternoon news conference and offered more support through tears.
Concerned reactions from local politicians quickly poured in, showing their support and offering prayer.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, who represents North Carolina's 10th Congressional District, said the situation was "devastating" on X, and said his thoughts and prayers are with all the officers involved.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson also took to X and said, "Our hearts ache for the brave law enforcement officers shot in the line of duty today in east Charlotte, including the tragic loss of a Deputy U.S. Marshal."
Attorney General Josh Stein, Rep. Alma Adams, the N.C. Fraternal Order of Police and more also shared their concerns and support for law enforcement as the situation unfolded Monday.