By Aaron Miller-
Four officers serving on a US Marshals task force have been killed, and four others wounded in a shootout at a home in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina.
The tragic event unfolded as U.S Marshals descended upon a residence to arrest an individual wanted on charges of possessing a firearm.
However, the operation quickly turned violent when the suspect opened fire on authorities as they approached the home.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time as the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was serving active felony warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon and felony flee to elude on a male suspect at a residence on the 5000 block of Galway Drive in the city’s North Tryon Division.
Police Chief Johnny Jennings revealed that the first shots were fired at officers when they attempted to make contact with the wanted individual, leading to a confrontation in the front yard of the residence.
The man, later identified by authorities as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39, allegedly began firing, striking multiple officers, police said.
During the exchange of gunfire, one man was shot and killed by law enforcement, while another individual inside the home unleashed a barrage of bullets on officers, prompting a swift and intense response from the authorities.
The chaotic scene escalated into a three-hour standoff, with armoured vehicles deployed to the location as officers sought to neutralize the threat and rescue their wounded colleagues.
Chief Jennings lamented the losses, saying:
“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” he said.
“A lot of the questions that need to be answered, we don’t even know what those questions are now.
“We have to get a full understanding of why this occurred and also uphold the integrity of the investigation.”
ight officers were hit with gunfire and transported to local hospitals.
Two females who were at the residence were taken to the Law Enforcement Center for interviews with detectives.
North Carolina’s Secretary of Adult Corrections, confirmed in a statement that two of the task force members were 14-year Department of Adult Corrections veterans Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott. The third was not immediately identified.
“They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities,” Ishee said in a statement.
“The bravery of our officers that responded to the scene, knowing that they’re going into gunfire is what I’ve been saying for many years, is in the face of danger. our people step up,” Jennings said.
In a statement on social media, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he was in touch with police about the shooting and has offered up state resources to help.
President Joe Biden, upon being briefed on the incident, expressed his condolences and solidarity with the Charlotte community, recognizing the bravery and selflessness exhibited by the officers in the line of duty.
Governor Roy Cooper confirmed the deaths of two officers from the state Department of Adult Correction, underscoring the devastating toll of the shootout on the law enforcement community.
Image: Khadejeh Nikouyeh/The Charlotte Observer via AP)