CMPD: Four Law Enforcement Officers Killed, Four Others Injured In Mass Shooting While Attempting To Serve Warrant In East Charlotte
Charlotte, N.C. (WCCB)– Eight total law enforcement officers were shot in east Charlotte, according to CMPD. Three U.S. Marshals and one CMPD officer were killed in the shooting. Four other officers were injured.
Officer Joshua Eyer, a 6 year veteran, was killed in the shooting, according to CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.
Officer Joshua Eyer, a 6 year veteran, was killed in the east Charlotte shooting on Monday, according to CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.
Photo: Officer Down Memorial Page
Two of the U.S. Marshals killed in the shooting have been identified as Samuel “Sam” Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott, according to the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
Two of the U.S. Marshals killed in the shooting have been identified as Samuel “Sam” Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott, according to the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
Photo: WCCB
Poloche and Elliott were both 14-year NC 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 Elliott followed in 2016, each after serving several years as probation/parole officers. They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities, according to a news release.
Sam leaves behind a wife and two children, and Alden and his wife were parents to one child.
The shooting happened on Galway Drive around 1:30pm in east Charlotte. WCCB confirmed members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force were attempting to serve a warrant on a felon for possession of a firearm when gunfire was exchanged.
CMPD says the task force, which is comprised of officers from multiple agencies was attempting to serve the warrant on 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina, according to a news release.
CMPD Holds News Conference After Multiple Officers Were Killed In East Charlotte https://t.co/GC6VFaWhfO
— WCCB Charlotte’s CW (@WCCBCharlotte) April 29, 2024
Officials say officers attempted to serve the felony warrants on Hughes but when they approached the house he discharged a weapon striking multiple officers.
These officers requested immediate response from other officers. As officers responded, the gunfire continued, striking additional officers, according to a news release.
Hughes then exited the residence with a firearm and law enforcement officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapons striking the suspect in the front yard of the residence, according to the news release. He died at the scene.
Numerous law enforcement officers struck by gunfire in active situation in the 5000 block of Galway Drive. The scene is still active. Avoid the area. Many roads are closed for faster ambulance transport. Please cooperate with authorities. Media staging at 6212 The Plaza at the…
— CMPD News (@CMPD) April 29, 2024
Multiple roads were blocked throughout Charlotte as law enforcement officers were rushed to local hospitals.
Today is a tragic day in Charlotte. Anytime a member of law enforcement is killed or injured in the line of duty, the whole profession hurts. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers as well as the other officers who were shot, including 4 of our own… https://t.co/rosRMHSUqB
— Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) April 29, 2024
CMPD says their SWAT team then started negotiations with the other occupants in the house. Two females, one a 17-year-old, exited the residence and were transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown Charlotte to be interviewed by detectives.
The residence on Galway Drive is now clear, and the area is safe. Residents no longer need to shelter in place.
At least one shooting suspect was located deceased at the residence after clearing the scene.
CMPD is questioning two other occupants of the home.
CMPD and other…
— CMPD News (@CMPD) April 29, 2024
Several schools were on lockdown while the investigation was underway.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
