Fourth law enforcement officer dies, 4 wounded serving warrant in east Charlotte home
In one of the nation’s most devastating attacks on law enforcement in generations, a suspect fired a high-powered rifle at officers in east Charlotte Monday afternoon, killing four and injuring four others.
A little after 9:30 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer died from the injuries he sustained while assisting officers with apprehending the suspect, authorities said. He initially was in critical condition after the incident.
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The suspect was holed up in a home on Galway Drive in the Shannon Park neighborhood when a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force approached around 1:30 pm., trying to serve a warrant on a felon for possession of a firearm. Three members of the task force — a U.S. marshal and two officers from the N.C. Department of Adult Correction — were killed and a fourth shot.
Scores of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers raced to the scene, and four of them were shot as well.
Officers shot back, striking the suspect. He later died in the home’s front yard. Two others in the home were taken into custody.
The deceased suspect was later identified as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and felony flee to elude, two counts, out of Lincoln County, CMPD said.
‘SOUNDED LIKE VIETNAM OUT THERE': Charlotte residents describe shooting where officers killed
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said it was the worst attack on law enforcement in his memory in his 30-plus years with the department.
Mayor Vi Lyles, who spoke after Jennings, fought back tears as she reacted to the events from earlier that afternoon. “We’ve lost three people,” Lyles said, at a time when Eyer was still in critical condition. “They gave us the opportunity to be in a safe place and they lost their lives.”
Also Monday, President Joe Biden spoke with Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.
Eyer’s identity was released Monday night. He served in the department’s North Tryon Division for six years, CMPD said, and was a member of the 178th recruit class.
“We’ll always be indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and his sacrifice for this profession,” Jennings said Monday night while addressing reporters. “It was just (recently), I was in this very room, congratulating Officer Eyer for becoming Officer of the Month in April. He certainly dedicated his life, and gave his life to serve our citizens.”
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Later Monday, the two victims from the Department of Adult Correction were identified. Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott were both 14-year veterans of the department. Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children, and Elliott was married with one child.
“These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state.” said Secretary Todd Ishee. “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.”
‘Sounded like Vietnam out there.’ Charlotte residents describe shooting where officers killed
‘Sounded like Vietnam’
Some neighbors like Larry Mackey lived close enough to see the firefight.
“All of a sudden it sounded like Vietnam out there,” Mackey said.
When an Observer reporter called him around 3:45 p.m., Mackey estimated that there must be 30 or 40 police cars at the scene.
Whoever was in the house was still there, he said.
PHOTOS: Scene from east Charlotte where multiple law enforcement officers killed
“There was a litany of gunfire, just an enormous amount,” said a neighbor, who heard pops from inside her shower. She bought a home near the scene, which was still active as of 4 p.m. Monday, and requested to remain anonymous, citing safety concerns.
The home had police cars in front of it twice since she moved in in October, she said. Now, it was surrounded by at least 150 officers and snipers perched on neighbors’ homes. A negotiation tent popped up around 3 p.m. — after officers “dragged” one of the shot officers into an ambulance, she said.
The residence in the 5000 block of Galway Drive where it happened was cleared and the area deemed safe, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said around 5 p.m., about three hours after the shooting. Residents no longer need to shelter in place.
Lyles said she spoke to the White House, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, Speaker of the NC House Tim Moore, and the president of the NC state senate, Phil Berger.
Along with other law enforcement agencies, CMPD will remain at the scene to conduct an investigation. Some roadways in the neighborhood will remain closed, CMPD said.
Earlier, CMPD urged people to “steer clear of the area. Residents stay inside of your homes. Multiple victims transported to nearby hospitals. Gunfire continues on scene. More information to come from CMPD.”
The department said CMPD SWAT was also on the scene “and continuing to work through the incident.”
Lyles posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: “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.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland released a statement Monday afternoon confirming the deaths involved a U.S. marshal.
“Every single day, Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers put their lives on the line to apprehend some of our country’s most dangerous criminals,” Garland said. “Today, three of those dedicated public servants made the ultimate sacrifice. Multiple other officers were critically injured while carrying out this operation to protect their community.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the CMPD Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 704-334-1600.
This is a developing story. Check back to charlotteobserver.com for updates.
