Four officers dead, four others wounded in east Charlotte shooting

Four officers are dead and four others are hurt after a Monday shooting in an east Charlotte neighborhood.

Three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force died in the shooting, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.

“Today is an absolute tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement,” Jennings said. “Today we lost some heroes that are out to just simply try to keep our community safe.”

Specifically, one of the officers killed was a deputy marshal with the U.S. Marshals Service, the marshals service said. Gov. Roy Cooper said the other two who died, identified as Samuel “Sam” Poloche and William “Alden” Elliot, were North Carolina Department of Adult Correction officers.

Jennings said three Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were shot, including one who was in critical condition at a hospital. That officer, later identified as Joshua Eyer, died from his injuries Monday night.

Eight law enforcement officers were shot in total, Jennings said.

There was also a fourth member of the U.S. Marshals Task Force who was shot, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Jennings said officers were attempting to serve a warrant Monday on a person for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at a home near the 5000 block of Galway Drive.

“When they approached that individual, they were met with gunfire,” Jennings said. “Officers returned gunfire and struck the victim, who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of the residence.”

The deceased suspect, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and felony flee to elude (two counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

Jennings said as officers approached Hughes after he was shot, people inside the home fired more shots at them. He said two women were inside and officers took them to the police station as “persons of interest.”

“We’re trying to determine now what exactly occurred inside of the residence,” Jennings said.

Police said just before 5 p.m. Monday that the area near the 5000 block of Galway Drive is safe. Residents no longer need to shelter in place, police said.

Many roads were closed for hours for faster ambulance transport. The road closures had a large impact around Charlotte, with many locals tweeting that they saw dozens of first responders rushing down the roadways.

“These are people that care deeply about what they’ve done for profession, and now today, we have to say to them how much we are grateful for what they have done,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said.

Lyles said she heard from several federal and state political leaders. She said it includes the White House, U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore and North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger.

“They all talked about, ‘what can they do to help us?'” Lyles said. “Now, we may not know what help we right now today, but we do know that when people reach out to say, ‘This is something that is important that has happened,’ and they want to be a part of whatever we do because there will be a time that we commemorate these people that lost their lives.”

Shooting in Charlotte neighborhood

The scene appears to be near a residential area full of houses, not far from Julian Underwood Park.

Coverage from WCNC said at least four schools in the area went on a modified lockdown as a result of the nearby police activity, with many parents concerned about how their children would be safely transported home. The active gunfire was happening around the same time schools would typically begin releasing students.

The CMPD SWAT team was at the scene and working through the incident. MEDIC’s mass casualty unit was also seen heading to the shooting scene.

WCNC Charlotte spoke with a neighbor in the area who said he received a phone call from his neighbor explaining there was a shooting in the area. The dad told WCNC Charlotte he’s just trying to get his kids home now.

“He said there’s a man shooting over there,” the neighbor told WCNC Charlotte’s Jesse Pierre. “Man we never had nothing like this before. Never, I’ve been over here for 27 years. It’s wild, man.”

Gov. Cooper offers state resources, Biden and NC politicians offer condolences

Cooper offered his condolences to the law enforcement officers shot on Monday.

“Our hearts are with the families and co-workers of officers in today’s brutal attack, including two state Department of Adult Correction officers working with the US Marshal’s Task Force who were shot and killed,” Cooper wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Cooper says he is offering state resources, writing, “I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help.”

President Joe Biden shared his condolences to those affected by the shooting.

“It’s like losing a piece of your soul,” Biden said. “Their family members dread the phone call. To the families of those lost: Jill and I, and all Americans, are here for you, and we will always be here for you.”

In addition to calling on lawmakers to provide more funding for law enforcement, he called on members of congress to pass a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. According the CMPD, Hughes used an assault-style weapon when he shot at officers.

“Leaders in Congress need to step up,” Biden said. “Enough is enough.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis made a statement, as well, saying, “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.”

Commentors shared their well-wishes for the officers who had been struck.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson also issued a statement about the shooting on the social media platform X, saying, “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. Our thoughts are with them, their families, and the entire community during this difficult time. We also extend our sincere condolences to everyone who was injured in this violent attack. Our office will continue to monitor this ongoing situation as it unfolds.”

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson and Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead offered their condolences and law enforcement resources to the US Marshal Services, the NC Department of Correction and city leaders in Charlotte.

“We all have taken an oath of office to give our communities the opportunity to be safe, and that’s what was intended to happen in Charlotte today,” Birkhead said.

Back the Blue has started a GoFundMe campaign to assist assist the families and law enforcement officers affected by Monday’s shooting. Gadi Adelman with Back The Blue NC said say there is still something people can do if they cannot afford a donation.

“The main thing you can do is when you see an officer, stop them and tell them, ‘Thank you,'” Adelman said. “You will make their day … and possibly their whole month.”