Tag: police officers shot

Two Mint Hill officers shot while handling a child custody call; suspect killed

[ad_1]

Two Mint Hill police officers are in stable condition after being shot Friday morning at a gift basket shop in the 6800 block of Matthews-Mint Hill Road, officials said.

A man who fired at them was shot and killed, police said. His name has not been made public yet.

Both officers were initially in critical condition. But by mid-Friday afternoon, police said they both were in stable condition at area hospitals. The injured officers have not been publicly identified.

At approximately 10:47 a.m., Mint Hill Police officers responded to Edible Arrangements at 6832 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, regarding a child custody exchange, Mint Hill police said in a news release.

Police tape marks off the perimeter of a shopping center in Mint Hill on Friday. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said. Khadejeh Nikouyeh knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has sent agents to the scene to assist in the investigation, the agency said in a Facebook post.

Mint Hill police said they will have more information about the shooting on Saturday.

The area is commercial, including the Mint Hill Pavilion and the Mint Hill Commons shopping centers. Edible Arrangements is in Mint Hill Commons.

The Mint Hill Police Department has 48 sworn police officers and three civilian employees, according to the city’s website. The city just east of Charlotte has a population of about 27,000.

Edible Arrangements is a shop that specializes in handcrafted gifts and gift baskets made of fresh fruits, gourmet chocolate and other treats, according to its website.

Wreaths line Mint Hill near the scene where two police officers were shot on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, and a suspect fatally shot. CHASE JORDAN cjordan@charlotteobserver.com

Nearby restaurant manager describes aftermath

Yellow crime tape blocked off the Edible Arrangements storefront and a large section of the parking lot as investigators moved through the scene.

On a portion of Matthews-Mint Hill Road still lined with Christmas wreaths, emergency vehicles with flashing lights blocked traffic.

Across the street, workers at Empire Pizza were preparing to open for the day when the violence erupted. Upon hearing the gunfire, they immediately locked the doors, fearing an active shooter.

From their vantage point, staff watched two officers enter the Edible Arrangements. One emerged injured with blood on his face and hands; his partner assisted him to the ground to wait for medical personnel, said Kevin Phayme, the restaurant’s general manager.

Empire employees saw the injured officer placed on a gurney. They observed him moving his hands and noted that responders did not need to perform CPR — a sign that Phayme said brought relief to his staff.

“Our prayers go out to the officers and to their families,” Phayme said. “It’s such an unfortunate situation. No family wants to get a phone call that their loved one was involved in a shooting … especially the day after Christmas.”

Phayme, who described Mint Hill as a close-knit community of business leaders and residents, said the restaurant maintains a strong rapport with the local police.

“To hear that this happened in our community where we work and a lot of us live … it’s just very unfortunate,” he added.

T.D. Mangrum, a resident of 10 years who frequents the shopping center, shared that sense of disbelief.

“A big part of why I chose Mint Hill is because of the low crime,” Mangrum said. “I’m sure there have been some violent crimes here, but I have not seen one this public and this close. It kind of shakes you up a bit.”

CMPD and Mint Hill fire department respond to authorities respond to a shooting at a shopping center Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said.

Politicians react to shooting

Gov. Josh Stein posted on social media that he was praying for a full recovery for the officers. “Our officers run toward danger every day to keep us all safe,” he wrote. “We must do all we can to support them.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis posted that he and his wife were praying for the injured officers. “ Our hearts are with their families and fellow officers. God Bless all those who serve and protect.”

Mint Hill authorities converged on a shopping center Friday. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said. Khadejeh Nikouyeh knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM.

Mark Price

The Charlotte Observer

Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

[ad_2]

Mark Price,Chase Jordan

Source link

December 26, 2025
Two police officers killed and a 3rd wounded in Utah shooting; man in custody

[ad_1]

Two police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call were shot and killed in Utah, and a man was taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun, authorities said Monday.The officers were identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31, of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department.A sheriff’s deputy and a police dog also were shot and wounded in their car as they arrived to help at a neighborhood in Tremonton on Sunday night. The deputy from Box Elder County was released from the hospital Monday and the dog was hospitalized in fair condition, police said.“These officers are definitely heroes,” Police Chief Chad Reyes in neighboring Brigham City said at a news conference Monday morning.When police respond to domestic disturbance calls, “we really don’t know what we’re walking into,” he said. “And they are one of the most dangerous events that we can be dispatched on.”Police received multiple 911 hang-up calls from a home in the city. A single officer from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department arrived first and was speaking to someone at the home when the man came out with a gun, police said in a news release. Reyes said he believed the man lived at the house.“The male opened fire on the officer, striking and killing the officer,” the news release said. A second officer from the department who responded “was immediately fired upon by the same male suspect” and was killed, it said.After the officers were shot, bystanders persuaded the man to put down his weapon, police said. Up to 50 officers from multiple agencies responded. SWAT teams arrived to clear the home and verify that there was no further threat, police said.The ranch-style home was cordoned off by yellow crime scene tape Monday. A trampoline and a blue children’s pool could be seen on the front lawn.Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called what happened “a terrible and tragic night.” He posted online that he joined the state in mourning the loss “of these courageous law enforcement officers” and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in their honor.The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, police said. The names of the wounded deputy and the suspect have not been released.Sorensen had served 17 years as a law enforcement officer and received multiple honors for his service to the community. He had recently been promoted to sergeant and was supposed to be sworn into his new role on Friday, the department said.Estrada had worked in the jail in Box Elder County and as a patrol officer before joining the Tremonton-Garland Police Department. His colleagues described him as a dedicated father and husband who loved being on patrol so he could interact with people in the community.Tremonton, which has about 13,000 people, is about 75 miles north of Salt Lake City at the junction of Interstates 15 and 84. It advertises itself as “a favorite midway stop for vacations” to destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. It also calls itself “Utah’s City of Murals” with a walking tour featuring 18 works of public art.___Editor’s note: The story has been updated to correct the first name of the police chief to Chad.___Associated Press writer Hannah Schoenbaum contributed reporting from Salt Lake City.

TREMONTON, Utah —

Two police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call were shot and killed in Utah, and a man was taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun, authorities said Monday.

The officers were identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31, of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department.

A sheriff’s deputy and a police dog also were shot and wounded in their car as they arrived to help at a neighborhood in Tremonton on Sunday night. The deputy from Box Elder County was released from the hospital Monday and the dog was hospitalized in fair condition, police said.

“These officers are definitely heroes,” Police Chief Chad Reyes in neighboring Brigham City said at a news conference Monday morning.

When police respond to domestic disturbance calls, “we really don’t know what we’re walking into,” he said. “And they are one of the most dangerous events that we can be dispatched on.”

Police received multiple 911 hang-up calls from a home in the city. A single officer from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department arrived first and was speaking to someone at the home when the man came out with a gun, police said in a news release. Reyes said he believed the man lived at the house.

“The male opened fire on the officer, striking and killing the officer,” the news release said. A second officer from the department who responded “was immediately fired upon by the same male suspect” and was killed, it said.

After the officers were shot, bystanders persuaded the man to put down his weapon, police said. Up to 50 officers from multiple agencies responded. SWAT teams arrived to clear the home and verify that there was no further threat, police said.

The ranch-style home was cordoned off by yellow crime scene tape Monday. A trampoline and a blue children’s pool could be seen on the front lawn.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called what happened “a terrible and tragic night.” He posted online that he joined the state in mourning the loss “of these courageous law enforcement officers” and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in their honor.

The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, police said. The names of the wounded deputy and the suspect have not been released.

Sorensen had served 17 years as a law enforcement officer and received multiple honors for his service to the community. He had recently been promoted to sergeant and was supposed to be sworn into his new role on Friday, the department said.

Estrada had worked in the jail in Box Elder County and as a patrol officer before joining the Tremonton-Garland Police Department. His colleagues described him as a dedicated father and husband who loved being on patrol so he could interact with people in the community.

Tremonton, which has about 13,000 people, is about 75 miles north of Salt Lake City at the junction of Interstates 15 and 84. It advertises itself as “a favorite midway stop for vacations” to destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. It also calls itself “Utah’s City of Murals” with a walking tour featuring 18 works of public art.

___

Editor’s note: The story has been updated to correct the first name of the police chief to Chad.

___

Associated Press writer Hannah Schoenbaum contributed reporting from Salt Lake City.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 18, 2025
Man shoots and injures 3 police officers and 2 others in New Orleans suburb

[ad_1]

Three police officers were shot and injured by a gunman after responding to a shooting outside a home in Kenner, Louisiana, on Sunday, authorities said.The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Matthew Lathers, was eventually fatally shot by a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office sniper, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said at a joint news conference.Around 9:45 a.m., Kenner police were called after two people were shot outside a home. Kenner Police Capt. Michael Cunningham told reporters the victims had been sitting in a vehicle.”We believed they were either going to or coming from church, they just happened to stop there in front of that residence and that’s when they were shot,” Cunningham said.The two victims showed responding officers the home where the gunfire came from, according to a joint statement from Lopinto and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.Detectives recognized the address as belonging to a family member of Lathers; Lathers had an outstanding warrant for an attempted murder and armed robbery earlier in the week, the statement said.Police obtained a search warrant and a SWAT team arrived on scene to execute the warrant. When the team entered the home, they “immediately began receiving fire,” the statement said.”At least one SWAT member returned fire. Three officers were shot, and it is unknown at this time if Lathers was struck during that initial contact.”Kenner police then requested assistance from the sherriff’s office. When deputies arrived, the suspect began shooting at the armored vehicle the deputies were in, the statement said. “Multiple attempts were made to contact Lathers to open negotiations, but all efforts were unsuccessful,” it added.A sniper was then able to shoot Lathers, who was fatally wounded, according to Lopinto. Lathers was pronounced dead at the scene.Two of the Kenner police officers who were wounded have been released from the hospital, and the other is in stable condition, Cunningham said.The two innocent bystanders who were shot earlier in the day are also both in stable condition at the hospital, according to the police captain.The sheriff said his office would be in charge of the investigation into the shooting.Kenner is around 13 miles west of New Orleans.

Three police officers were shot and injured by a gunman after responding to a shooting outside a home in Kenner, Louisiana, on Sunday, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Matthew Lathers, was eventually fatally shot by a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office sniper, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said at a joint news conference.

Around 9:45 a.m., Kenner police were called after two people were shot outside a home. Kenner Police Capt. Michael Cunningham told reporters the victims had been sitting in a vehicle.

“We believed they were either going to or coming from church, they just happened to stop there in front of that residence and that’s when they were shot,” Cunningham said.

The two victims showed responding officers the home where the gunfire came from, according to a joint statement from Lopinto and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.

Detectives recognized the address as belonging to a family member of Lathers; Lathers had an outstanding warrant for an attempted murder and armed robbery earlier in the week, the statement said.

Police obtained a search warrant and a SWAT team arrived on scene to execute the warrant. When the team entered the home, they “immediately began receiving fire,” the statement said.

“At least one SWAT member returned fire. Three officers were shot, and it is unknown at this time if Lathers was struck during that initial contact.”

Kenner police then requested assistance from the sherriff’s office. When deputies arrived, the suspect began shooting at the armored vehicle the deputies were in, the statement said. “Multiple attempts were made to contact Lathers to open negotiations, but all efforts were unsuccessful,” it added.

A sniper was then able to shoot Lathers, who was fatally wounded, according to Lopinto. Lathers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two of the Kenner police officers who were wounded have been released from the hospital, and the other is in stable condition, Cunningham said.

The two innocent bystanders who were shot earlier in the day are also both in stable condition at the hospital, according to the police captain.

The sheriff said his office would be in charge of the investigation into the shooting.

Kenner is around 13 miles west of New Orleans.

[ad_2]

Source link

April 28, 2024