Four police officers killed, Four injured in Charlotte shooting
3 Min Read
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings reveals that the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to serve a warrant to a home with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department officers walk in the neighborhood where a shooting took place in Charlotte, N.C., on April 29, 2024. (AP)
Four law enforcement officers have been killed and four officers were wounded as they were trying to serve an arrest warrant in a neighborhood in the area, as confirmed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
At a press conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings revealed that the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to serve a warrant to a home with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to WBTV, they were met with gunfire upon their arrival and after three hours, the door of the home was torn open while armored vehicles crashed into it, ripping off windows and doorways that were left broken.
Officers then responded with gunfire, killing one suspect who died in the front yard.
The alarming rise in gun violence in the #US continues to shatter records, with an average of one mass shooting per day in the first half of 2023, and nearly a dozen mass shootings over the 4th of July weekend alone. pic.twitter.com/HmLzZngnQ5
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 8, 2023
Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony to elude out of Lincoln County. Two people, a woman and a 17-year-old male were taken into custody as persons of interest, and police claim a high-powered rifle was seized from the home.
Read next: 2023 gun violence toll: Over 42,000 killed in US
Jennings said, “Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe”.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections reported that the two task force members killed were veterans Sam Poloche and Aledn Elliot. Officer Joshua Eyer, a six-year veteran, was identified by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
In light of that, US President Joe Biden released the following statement:
"Earlier today, four brave law enforcement officers – including a Deputy US Marshal – were killed in the line of duty. They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us... When a law enforcement officer puts on that shield in the morning and heads out the door, their family members dread the phone call – the very call that came today. It’s like losing a piece of your soul. To the families of those we lost: Jill and I, and all Americans, are here for you. And we will always be here for you.
We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them - so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now. Leaders in Congress need to step up so that we ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, and pass universal background checks and a national red flag law. Enough is enough. May God Bless these fallen heroes."
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) posted on X: “An attack in Charlotte on our brave law enforcement officers who swore an oath to protect and serve us all,” adding that his wife “Susan and I are praying for everyone’s safety.”
An attack in Charlotte on our brave law enforcement officers who swore an oath to protect and serve us all. Susan and I are praying for everyone’s safety. https://t.co/NMDOnuOrF1
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) April 29, 2024
Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement saying, “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.”
