CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Four law enforcement officers were killed and four other officers were injured when a suspect fired shots during a warrant-related shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, Monday afternoon.
The shooting began when a U.S. Marshals task force attempted to execute a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At a news conference Monday night, authorities said the warrant recipient was the first person to fire. The suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr., was killed in the gunfight, police said.
Hughes was also wanted on two felony counts of escape from Lincoln County, North Carolina, according to Charlotte police.
Police believe two gunmen may have been involved. They said two persons of interest, a 17-year-old and a woman, were taken to the police station for further investigation.
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A convicted felon opened fire, killing at least four police officers, officials said. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)
“We currently have two persons of interest in our department who are being questioned,” Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a press conference. “And we confirmed that the person we set up to execute the warrant was the one who fired the first shot and at the end of it all, he was dead in the front yard.”
Three officers from the U.S. Marshals Task Force (one deputy and two task force officers) were killed in the shootout. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) confirmed to FOX News Digital that an officer with the department also died from his injuries late Monday night.
A total of eight law enforcement officers were shot and killed. Three CMPD officers and one U.S. Marshals Task Force officer were injured and are still recovering from their injuries.
At a press conference before the fourth death was announced, Jennings called the incident “the most tragic incident I’ve ever been involved in.”
“I’ve been with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 32 years. I can’t remember an incident where three officers were arrested.” [injured] And three people also died in the same incident,” he said.
CMPD initially reported that “numerous” officers were shot at the scene in the 5000 block of Galway Drive in the Shannon Park neighborhood.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced Monday that four law enforcement officers were killed and four others were injured in a shootout involving a U.S. Marshals task force. Chief Johnny Jennings (pictured) called the officers “heroes.” (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)
All injured officers were taken to the hospital. At 2:23 p.m., police confirmed that a SWAT team had arrived at the scene and asked residents to remain inside their homes.
Police say: “Please avoid the area.” “Many roads are closed to allow for rapid transport of ambulances. Please cooperate with the authorities.”
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On Monday afternoon, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper confirmed that his office was aware of the shooting.
“I have been in contact with law enforcement regarding the tragic shootings in the Charlotte area and have provided state resources to assist,” Cooper wrote to X.
Police asked residents in the 5000 block of Galway Drive to stay indoors. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)
Former FBI special agent and FOX News contributor Nicole Parker spoke to FOX News Digital about the current situation.
“The officers on this U.S. Marshals Task Force are some of the best, brightest, and bravest. Every day, when they walk out their front door to work, they understand that they may not make it home. ” she explained.
“I can’t say it enough. Americans need to stand with the blue…They don’t make a lot of money, but their sacrifices are endless and irreplaceable.”
Parker said violence against law enforcement officers should not be tolerated.
“We must restore full support, respect and honor to those who bravely wear this badge every day and carry out their duties fearlessly,” she said.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles spoke to reporters on Monday, April 29, 2024, after three U.S. Marshals were shot and killed and five other officers were injured in a shootout. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)
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Fox News Digital has contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for more information.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report.
