CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — In a devastating incident in Charlotte, North Carolina, four law enforcement officers were fatally shot while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. The officers were met with gunfire as they approached a residence on Monday, leaving the community and law enforcement agencies reeling from the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since 2016.
Investigators are still piecing together the precise timeline of events and determining if a second shooter was involved in the Monday attack. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles addressed the tragedy, stating, “Charlotte isn’t going to be the last place that this happens, but Charlotte will be the place that will heal — that will heal with dignity and respect for everyone.”
The incident unfolded as a task force comprised of officers from multiple agencies arrived at a residential neighborhood to apprehend Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39. Hughes was wanted on charges of firearm possession by an ex-felon and fleeing to elude in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The officers killed in the line of duty were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks. In addition to the fatalities, four other officers sustained gunshot wounds in the intense shootout. Terry Clark Hughes Jr. was also killed during the exchange.
Authorities recovered an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun, and ammunition from the scene. Police Chief Johnny Jennings highlighted the danger posed by the AR-15, noting its ability to penetrate standard body armor, allowing the suspect to rapidly fire multiple rounds at the officers.
Chief Jennings stated that investigators found over 100 spent rounds at the scene, though the exact number fired by Hughes remains unclear. At least a dozen officers returned fire during the confrontation. He explained the tactical disadvantage faced by the officers, stating, “Even though officers were trying to take cover, they were at a disadvantage because the suspect was up at a higher level and they were returning fire from a lower position,” indicating that the shooter was positioned upstairs within the house.
This tragic event marks the deadliest single incident for U.S. law enforcement since the 2016 Dallas sniper attack, where five officers were killed during a protest.
Terry Clark Hughes Jr.’s criminal history in North Carolina spans over a decade and includes convictions for offenses such as breaking and entering, reckless driving, evading arrest, and illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon.
Hughes’ cousin, Star Pulliam, described their close relationship and daily communication. She mentioned Hughes’ 15-year career as an electrician and his apparent efforts to reform his life, despite his past legal troubles.
Neighbor Saing Chhoeun recounted hearing repeated demands for Hughes to exit the residence prior to the gunfire. He described a car alarm sounding around the same time as the shooting began. An armored vehicle was deployed to shield wounded officers during a rescue operation. Following a three-hour standoff, specialized vehicles were used to breach the house. “I don’t know how many rounds were fired. But then it got quiet,” Chhoeun told the Associated Press, describing the tense scene.
Two women, one of whom was a minor, were present inside the home during the incident. They are cooperating with the ongoing investigation and have not been charged. While initial reports suggested a possible second shooter, Chief Jennings later clarified that investigators were still evaluating that possibility.
Prior to answering questions from the press, officials conveyed their profound sorrow and admiration for the fallen and injured officers. Officer Joshua Eyer had recently been recognized as Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s officer of the month for his work in reducing gun violence. Chief Jennings emphasized Eyer’s bravery, noting he was killed while assisting fellow officers under fire. “We saw … officers going into the line of fire to save their brothers in blue, who have gone down in the act of trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings stated, highlighting the heroism displayed.
Residents of the quiet neighborhood of brick homes expressed their fear and shock in the aftermath of the violence. Yearly Washington, a 35-year resident, voiced the community’s sentiment, “We’ve been here such a long time — you raise your children here — and then all the sudden you have this tragedy.”
The last U.S. Marshal killed in the line of duty was Deputy Chase White in November 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. He was fatally shot by a suspect wanted for stalking law enforcement.
The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, based in Charlotte, involves 70 federal, state, and local agencies working together to apprehend criminal suspects. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis, who traveled to Charlotte, emphasized the national impact of the loss, saying, “This is a loss for the entire country. Losing a deputy, losing task force officers, is like losing a family member because, quite frankly, they are family members.”
This report includes contributions from John Raby and Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia; Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Ed White in Detroit.
