Four officers killed, 5 others injured in Charlotte shooting

Four officers were killed Monday while trying to serve a warrant at an east Charlotte home.

Three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force died in the shooting, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings, along with a Charlotte police officer. The four officers killed were identified as:

• Thomas M Weeks, Jr., a U.S. Marshal assigned to the Fugitive Task Force
• Samuel "Sam" Poloche, with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
• William "Alden" Elliot, with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
• Joshua Eyer, a 6-year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Four other officers, Christopher Tolley, Michael Giglio, Jack Blowers and Justin Campbell, were injured in the shooting. Tolley, Giglio and Blowers were shot, and Campbell's foot was broken during the shooting.

A fifth officer with the Statesville Police Department was also injured in the shooting, the department said on Facebook.

"Cpl. Hoover sustained a gunshot wound to his upper torso, an area unprotected by his bulletproof vest," Statesville police said on Facebook. "He was transported by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to a level one trauma center in Charlotte, where he underwent surgery. Cpl. Hoover is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery."

Cpl. Casey Hoover is a member of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, the police department said on Facebook.

"It’s just been very tough," Jennings said Tuesday during a news conference, becoming emotional. "And knowing you have families that are hurting right now ... we’ll get through it though."

Timeline of Charlotte shooting

Around 1 p.m. Monday, officers were attempting to serve a warrant to 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at a home near the 5000 block of Galway Drive when they were "immediately" met by gunfire.

"When they approached that individual, they were met with gunfire," Jennings said Monday. "Officers returned gunfire and struck the victim, who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of the residence."

During Tuesday's news conference, Jennings said Hughes fired shots at officers from the upstairs of the home in both the front and the back. Jennings said Hughes was later shot down in the front yard of the home, where he died.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police recovered 100 shell casings, an AR-15 rifle and a .40-caliber handgun from the home, according to Jennings. Authorities are working to learn where the guns were bought. Authorities also recovered ammunition and magazines for the weapons at the scene.

Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina. Records show he was convicted of felony breaking and entering in Person County in 2009. He was convicted again in 2012 in Alamance County for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Hughes also had a pending case in Person County for possession of a firearm by a felon and marijuana possession. An order for his arrest was issued in February 2023 after he failed to appear in court.

The Charlotte Police Department held a news conference Tuesday morning about the shooting, featuring remarks from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Gov. Roy Cooper, Attorney General Josh Stein and Ronald Davis, director of the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to Jennings, a total of 12 Charlotte officers fired weapons, and all have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard policy in officer-involved shootings.

Jennings said as officers approached Hughes after he was shot, people inside the home fired more shots at them. He said two women were inside and officers took them to the police station as "persons of interest."

The women are cooperating with the investigation, Jennings said on Tuesday, and no additional suspects or persons of interest have been identified.

Jennings said investigators are still piecing together a timeline and he wouldn't rule out the possibility that someone else also fired shots.

"We're trying to determine now what exactly occurred inside of the residence," Jennings said. "This is certainly a tragedy that's going to impact, I would say, our country for a very long time.

"It's a scar on Charlotte, but a scar that won't heal."

Neighbors say bullets were flying

The scene appears to be near a residential area full of houses, not far from Julian Underwood Park.

Hundreds of officers swarmed the area on Monday afternoon. Some neighbors had police snipers set up in their homes while others had injured officers pulled to safety through their living rooms. The home was heavily damaged by a SWAT team, which rammed the house with an armored vehicle.

One neighbor, Tyler Wilson, shot videos as police swarmed through his yard. According to Wilson, who kept recording even as an injured officer was pulled through his living room, gunshots were coming from every direction.

"At one point, there was probably 10 or 15 police or marshals in our back yard, some in our bedrooms," Wilson said. "I opened the doors and just let them come through the house. It’s one of those situations where you just black out – you go into fight or flight mode."

The bullets started flying just after 1 p.m. as the U.S. Marshals task force worked to serve the warrant.

Neighbors said the bullets didn’t stop for more than two hours, and hundreds of rounds shredded the side of the house Hughes was holed up in.

Jay Chheun, who lives next door, said he’d just gotten home when police arrived. His father started shooting video with his cell phone.

"There were officers right here by my vehicle. There were like at least two officers by my back door," Chheun described.

Coverage from WCNC said at least four schools in the area went on a modified lockdown as a result of the nearby police activity, with many parents concerned about how their children would be safely transported home. The active gunfire was happening around the same time schools would typically begin releasing students.

The CMPD SWAT team was at the scene and working through the incident. MEDIC's mass casualty unit was also seen heading to the shooting scene.

WCNC Charlotte spoke with a neighbor in the area who said he received a phone call from his neighbor explaining there was a shooting in the area. The dad told WCNC Charlotte he's just trying to get his kids home now.

"He said there's a man shooting over there," the neighbor told WCNC Charlotte's Jesse Pierre. "Man we never had nothing like this before. Never, I've been over here for 27 years. It's wild, man."

Gov. Cooper orders flags at half-staff

On Tuesday Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags to half-staff until Friday in honor of the fallen officers.

"Yesterday, North Carolina and our country lost four heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty working to protect our communities," Cooper said in a statement. "Our prayers are with their friends and families as they navigate this difficult time and we remember and honor the lives of these law enforcement officers."

Police said just before 5 p.m. Monday that the area near the 5000 block of Galway Drive was safe. Many roads were closed for hours for faster ambulance transport. The road closures had a large impact around Charlotte, with many locals tweeting that they saw dozens of first responders rushing down the roadways.

"These are people that care deeply about what they've done for profession, and now today, we have to say to them how much we are grateful for what they have done," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said.

Lyles said she heard from several federal and state political leaders. She said it includes the White House, U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore and North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger.

"They all talked about, 'what can they do to help us?'" Lyles said. "Now, we may not know what help we right now today, but we do know that when people reach out to say, 'This is something that is important that has happened,' and they want to be a part of whatever we do because there will be a time that we commemorate these people that lost their lives."

President Biden, Gov. Cooper & NC politicians offer condolences

Cooper offered his condolences to the law enforcement officers shot on Monday.

"Our hearts are with the families and co-workers of officers in today’s brutal attack, including two state Department of Adult Correction officers working with the US Marshal’s Task Force who were shot and killed," Cooper wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Cooper said he is offering state resources, writing, "I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help."

President Joe Biden shared his condolences to those affected by the shooting.

"It's like losing a piece of your soul," Biden said. "Their family members dread the phone call. To the families of those lost: Jill and I, and all Americans, are here for you, and we will always be here for you."

In addition to calling on lawmakers to provide more funding for law enforcement, he called on members of congress to pass a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. According the CMPD, Hughes used an assault-style weapon when he shot at officers.

"Leaders in Congress need to step up," Biden said. "Enough is enough."

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis made a statement, as well, saying, "An attack in Charlotte on our brave law enforcement officers who swore an oath to protect and serve us all. Susan and I are praying for everyone’s safety."

Commentors shared their well-wishes for the officers who had been struck.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson also issued a statement about the shooting on the social media platform X, saying, "Our hearts ache for the brave law enforcement officers shot in the line of duty today in east Charlotte, including the tragic loss of a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Our thoughts are with them, their families, and the entire community during this difficult time. We also extend our sincere condolences to everyone who was injured in this violent attack. Our office will continue to monitor this ongoing situation as it unfolds."

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson and Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead offered their condolences and law enforcement resources to the U.S. Marshal Services, the NC Department of Correction and city leaders in Charlotte.

"We all have taken an oath of office to give our communities the opportunity to be safe, and that’s what was intended to happen in Charlotte today," Birkhead said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation has set up a Help Our Heroes Fund for the four law enforcement officers killed and the four officers injured. For those wishing to send personal gifts, cards or item donations, they can be delivered or mailed to 601 East Trade St. For any inquiries, call Charlotte-Mecklenburg police at 704-336-5320.

Back the Blue has started a GoFundMe campaign to assist assist the families and law enforcement officers affected by Monday's shooting. Gadi Adelman with Back The Blue NC said there is still something people can do if they cannot afford a donation.

"The main thing you can do is when you see an officer, stop them and tell them, 'Thank you,'" Adelman said. "You will make their day ... and possibly their whole month."