4 officers killed, 4 shot during east Charlotte standoff

CHARLOTTE — Monday marked a dark day for Charlotte, as four officers died and four more were shot while they were working “to keep the city safe.”

The chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed an officer with the department and three members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were killed in a shootout Monday while serving a warrant in east Charlotte.

CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer was critically wounded earlier before he died at the hospital, the chief said. He leaves behind a wife and a 3-year-old son.

Two of the task force officers were identified as Sam Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.

COVERAGE OF THE VICTIMS:

• CMPD mourns recent ‘Officer of the Month’ killed during deadly shootout
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Four other law enforcement officers, including two with CMPD, one with the Statesville Police Department, and another agent with the task force were also wounded in the shooting. A fifth CMPD officer was not shot but has a related injury.

Suspect Terry Clark Hughes, Jr. 39, was found dead at the scene, police confirmed.

Chief Johnny Jennings said Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and felony fleeing to elude out of Lincoln County, and that he used a “high-powered rifle” in the attack.

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CMPD shared news of the shooting just before 2 p.m. They said it happened while the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was trying to serve a warrant in a neighborhood along Galway Drive.

Just before 5 p.m., authorities said the home where the shooting happened was clear and the area was safe.

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Read the latest updates below:

5:30 p.m. Tuesday

Channel 9 learned late Tuesday that Statesville Police Department Officer Cpl. Casey Hoover, an eight-year veteran, was shot in his upper torso, an area that was unprotected by his bulletproof vest. He was serving as part of the U.S. Marshals task force, the department said.

Hoover underwent surgery and is in stable condition, and Statesville police said he’s expected to make a full recovery.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who were lost, and we stand in unwavering solidarity with our law enforcement brethren during this difficult time,” the department said in a news release.

Hoover has been with the marshal’s task force for two years.

“Cpl. Hoover exemplifies the bravery and resilience of our law enforcement community,” the news release reads. “During this challenging time, we kindly request privacy for Cpl. Hoover and his family as he continues his journey to recovery.”

10:45 p.m.

Two of the officers were with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott were both 14-year Department of Adult Correction veterans. They were task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Poloche joined the NCDAC Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013 and Alden Elliott followed in 2016, each after serving several years as probation/parole officers.

Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children.

Elliot and his wife were parents to one child.

“These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state,” the department said in a news release. “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.”

President Joe Biden also issued a statement following the shooting, saying: “Earlier today, four brave law enforcement officers - including a Deputy U.S. Marshal - were killed in the line of duty. They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us. We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded. 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.”

10:40 p.m.

The suspect who died was Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39.

Hughes was wanted for two counts of possession of a firearm by felon and felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County.

9:40 p.m.

CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer has died from his injuries, Jennings said.

7:30 p.m.

The White House: The President was briefed on the shooting in North Carolina, in which multiple law enforcement officers were killed. He spoke to Gov. Cooper, and expressed his condolences and support for the community. In addition, senior White House officials are in touch with federal, state, and local officials.

6:30 p.m.

Gov. Roy Cooper is in Charlotte and is being briefed on the situation. He plans to meet with officials and families of the victims.

In a statement, Gov. Cooper said two of the officers killed were with North Carolina’s Department of Adult Correction and were working with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force when they were shot.

‘Today, we lost some heroes’

3 marshals killed, 5 officers hurt in east Charlotte shootout, CMPD says

5:55 p.m.

“Today, we lost some heroes that are out trying to simply keep our community safe,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.

Jennings said around 1:30 p.m., a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to serve a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They were met with gunfire when they approached the person, Jennings said, so the officers returned fire, hitting the suspect.

The suspect died in the front yard of the home on Galway Drive, Jennings said.

Afterward, the officers were shot at from inside the home, triggering a standoff, Jennings said.

Eight officers were hurt in the shootout, Jennings said, and three of the officers with the task force died from their injuries. One of the three killed was a sworn U.S. Marshal, the agency confirmed to Channel 9.

Of the remaining five officers who were shot, one is a task force member and four are CMPD officers. One of the CMPD officers is in critical condition fighting for his life and the others are stable and expected to be OK, Jennings said.

CMPD is not yet releasing the agency of the surviving officer who is part of the task force.

“We don’t have any guarantees that we’ll return home,” Jennings said. “But yet we have a lot of great men and women across this entire country that do it every single day to make sure that you’re safe in your communities.”

Officers said only two people came out from the home, a 17-year-old and a woman. Both were brought to a police station as persons of interest, he said.

“I’ve been with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg 32 years ... it’s the most tragic [incident] that I’ve been involved in,” Jennings said. “I don’t know historically -- I can’t imagine that there’s one that’s any worse than what we’re seeing today.”

Jennings confirmed a high-powered rifle was involved in the shooting.

5:44 p.m.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over a procession through Charlotte that ended at the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

Top CMPD brass arrived at the scene of the shooting for a press conference, along with Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones, Fire Chief Reggie Johnson, County Commissioner Mark Jerrell, Homeland Security, FBI, ATF, and District Attorney Spencer Merriweather.

Novant Health confirms in a statement they are supporting the community in the aftermath of the shooting.

Procession for fallen officers killed while serving warrant in east Charlotte

“This is a devastating day for our Charlotte community. While our hope is that we never have to encounter these tragic events, we stand ready to provide the highest quality care to our patients,” the statement reads. “We have mobilized our care teams and resources in response to this developing situation. As a designated trauma center, our teams engage in comprehensive training drills and exercises to ensure our teams are ready to respond to scenarios like this one. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will provide you with more information as it is available.

“The emergency department at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center remains open to receive patients in need of emergency medical treatment.”

5:20 p.m.

Ken Lemon reports from Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center

Sources confirm to Channel 9 three law enforcement officers were shot and killed Monday afternoon. At least one of those officers was a U.S. Marshal, sources said.

The agencies the other officers belonged to have not yet been made public.

CMPD: House cleared, 1 suspect dead

Sources: Marshal killed, officers shot while serving warrant in east Charlotte

4:48 p.m.

At least one of the shooting suspects was found dead at the scene, a home on Galway Drive, CMPD said.

The home is now clear and the area is safe, CMPD said. Neighbors no longer need to shelter in place.

CMPD said officers are questioning two other people inside the home.

Police said they will remain at the scene, along with other law enforcement agencies. Some roads in the neighborhood are still closed, and CMPD asked for patience as they work the scene.

Police said they will share more in an update to reporters around 5:40 p.m. Channel 9 will carry that news conference live.

4:47 p.m.

CMPD said its SWAT Team is still working to clear the home. They cautioned neighbors to expect police in the area.

Neighbors who work nearby spoke with Channel 9′s Tina Terry about what happened.

“It makes me feel sad, you know, because every single day there’s something going on in Charlotte. Either chasing or shooting,” said Carlos Figueroa.

“I hope they’ll be alright, I really do,” said Jackie Byrd. “I’m praying for them and their families and that everybody will be alright. Not only them, but whoever is barricaded in the house. I hope they’ll be just fine.”

3:47 p.m.

CMPD said the threat is isolated to the area near the 5000 block of Galway Drive.

Police asked neighbors to continue sheltering in place and asked everyone else to continue avoiding the area.

CMPD: Marshals were serving a warrant

'Numerous’ officers hurt in ‘active’ east Charlotte shooting, CMPD says

3:41 p.m.

CMPD said the shooting happened while the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was trying to serve a warrant in the 5000 block of Galway Drive.

Police again said the scene was still active and will release more information shortly.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said the lockdowns at their schools have been lifted.

Sources: At least 3 officers shot

3:31 p.m.

Sources told Channel 9 two officers were shot in their legs and one was shot in the chest. It’s not clear if one of the victims was the deputy U.S. Marshal who was killed, but Channel 9 is working to learn more.

According to our sources, there were two suspects involved and at least one is wounded.

Officers are treating the investigation as a barricaded suspect situation.

CMPD has not shared which agencies the officers who were shot belong to.

3:20 p.m.

Gov. Roy Cooper said he has offered any state resources that local agencies might need.

Sources tell Channel 9′s Joe Bruno that Mayor Vi Lyles and City Manager Marcus Jones are on their way to local hospitals. The mayor is monitoring the situation, the source said.

The roads outside Atrium Health’s main hospital and Novant Health have since reopened after being closed, as have Interstate 77 and Interstate 277.

Roads closed near Charlotte hospitals after numerous officers hurt in active east Charlotte shooting

Sources: Deputy US Marshal killed

3:03 p.m.

A deputy U.S. Marshal was killed in the shooting, sources confirmed to Channel 9.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the last marshal killed in North Carolina was on Aug. 2, 1939. The last U.S. Marshal killed in the line of duty was in February 2022 in Nevada.

A parent of a student at Cochrane Collegiate Academy told our partners at Telemundo Charlotte that the school was put into a modified lockdown.

CMS confirmed that information, saying Devonshire Elementary School, Lawrence Orr Elementary School, and Briarwood Elementary School were all on modified lockdowns.

The district is trying to figure out which buses to release, based on where they are headed. They are working on getting car riders and walkers dismissed safely as well.

2:44 p.m.

CMPD said the shooting stemmed from a U.S. Marshals Task Force investigation. Law enforcement officers were on Galway Drive Monday when they were met with gunfire, police said.

The task force is made of officers from multiple agencies.

2:33 p.m.

According to a source at the Atrium Health hospital in Dilworth, a mass casualty response has been called. Atrium Main is the Level 1 trauma center and every trauma surgeon is being called in.

2:23 p.m.

CMPD’s SWAT team arrived at the scene and was working the scene of the incident.

Police said the scene was still active.

Channel 9 learned several highways and roads were closed, including Interstate 77 at Interstate 277/John Belk Freeway.

2:16 p.m.

Police asked drivers to avoid the area. They asked anyone who lives nearby to stay inside their homes.

Police said many roads were closed in order for ambulances to move more quickly to the hospital.

It’s not clear yet who was hit or what agencies they are part of.

CMPD did not initially share the severity of the officers’ injuries.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH: CMPD investigation underway in east Charlotte)

CMPD investigation underway in east Charlotte

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