The situation happened around 1:50 p.m. along Galway Drive near Denson Place.
By Connor Lomis
Published: Apr. 29, 2024 at 12:55 PM CDT|Updated: 7 hours ago
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) — Three U.S. Marshal task force officers and a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer were killed and four other officers, three of whom were with CMPD were hurt during an east Charlotte shootout that stemmed from a fugitive warrant operation on Monday afternoon.
Residents, along with anyone in the area of the neighborhood, were asked to avoid the area as active gunfire was ongoing for hours. At 4:56 p.m., CMPD said the area was safe.
The situation began around 1:50 p.m. along Galway Drive near Denson Place.
CMPD stated that the officer Joshua Eyer was shot in the line of duty this Monday afternoon after assisting other officers with the apprehension of a suspect. Eyer was a six year veteran and was a member of the 178th Recruit Class.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections stated that two of the members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force were NC Department of Adult Correction veterans.
They were identified as Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott. Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children, and Elliott and his wife were parents to one child.
Police say as the task force attempted to serve the warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, they were met with gunfire from inside a home, and officers returned fire, struck the suspect, and that person was pronounced deceased in the front yard.
As officers approached that individual, they say they were met by more gunfire from inside the home. After a long standoff, officers cleared the home and found two females inside, who were both brought to the police station as persons of interest.
CMPD identified the suspect as Terry Clark Hughes, 39, and he was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony to elude out of Lincoln County.
“Today is an absolutely tragic day for the city of Charlotte and the profession of law enforcement,” said CMPD police chief Johnny Jennings. “Today, we lost some heroes...that were out...just simply trying to keep our community safe.”
CMPD’s SWAT team helped handle the incident. They advised that the threat was isolated to the area of 5000 Galway Drive but still asked residents to shelter in place.
Our full, live report can be watched below:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said two schools were on full lockdown: Devonshire Elementary School and Briarwood Academy. Those students were able to be dismissed once police issued the all-clear around 3:40 p.m. Two other schools, Cochrane Collegiate and Lawrence Orr Elementary School, were put on modified lockdown and are being dismissed on a staggered system.
Officers listed the incident as a “severe alert.” They said “numerous law enforcement officers” were hit by gunfire in the situation, stating the US Marshals Task Force was conducting an investigation in the area when they were engaged in active gunfire by a subject.
Many roads, including parts of Interstate 77 and 277, were closed for faster ambulance transports. Charlotte Area Transit System notified those on the Gold Line that emergency vehicles blocked the tracks from Elizabeth and Hawthorn to Sunnyside Station.
A Witness’s Perspective
A neighbor said dozens of law enforcement officers used his home and backyard during the shootout.
Live on WBTV, Tyler Wilson described officers streaming into his home, including one officer who appeared to be a sniper using his window during an active shootout Monday afternoon. At one point, Wilson said he saw one officer dragged through his home by his shoulders. He wasn’t able to see the extent of the officer’s injuries or whether the officer was shot.
Wilson said the people who lived in the home had lived there for “a year and change” but otherwise didn’t know them. They occasionally had backyard parties, Wilson said.
Wilson described the scene as “gunfire galore,” with officers army-crawling through his backyard, hiding behind trees, and jumping around bushes.
RELATED: ‘Gunfire galore’: Officers used witnesses home during east Charlotte shootout
Officers ordered Wilson and two others in the home to hide in a back room as the gunfire was ongoing. At around 4 p.m., Wilson said it had been quiet for about 90 minutes.
Official Statements
Governor Roy Cooper tweeted, stating he was in contact with law enforcement “concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help.”
At about 5:20 p.m., it was confirmed Cooper was en route to Charlotte following the devastating news that law enforcement officers were killed.
Mayor Vi Lyles issued the following statement regarding the shooting:
“I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred that involved Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals today. I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Senator Tom Tillis also tweeted, calling the incident an “attack in Charlotte.”
“An attack in Charlotte on our brave law enforcement officers who swore an oath to protect and serve us all,” he wrote. “Susan and I are praying for everyone’s safety.”
Atrium Health’s statement relating to today’s CMPD officer tragedies can be read below:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred today involving multiple law enforcement officers. Our Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center emergency department teammates immediately began providing care to the injured. We have also been extending emotional support to their families and colleagues.
As a hospital, our priority is to provide the best possible care to our patients, while respecting their privacy and confidentiality. We are working closely with the police department, who is leading the investigation and the communication with the media and the public.”
CMPD issued a statement, which read in part:
“Today, some of our fellow colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our community. We are grateful for the bravery shown by all officers and outpouring responses from our neighboring agencies.”
President Joe Biden released the following statement:
“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.
We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them - so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now. Leaders in Congress need to step up so that we ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, and pass universal background checks and a national red flag law. Enough is enough.
May God Bless these fallen heroes.”
The Gaston County Board of Commissioners issued a statement on today’s tragedies that can be read below:
On behalf of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, we extend our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community. Today, we mourn the loss of several brave heroes and pray for those injured in the line of duty defending us from evil.
This tragedy transcends political affiliations. Now is the time to set aside our differences and focus on the physical and mental health well-being of those who protect and serve our communities. It is a time for unity and shared concern for our law enforcement family.
In these trying times, Gaston County stands in unity with our local and federal law enforcement families. We are committed to providing support and assistance in any way we can.
We also extend our support to the officers’ families, loved ones, and teammates. We recognize your grief and pledge our steadfast support during this challenging time.
In memory of our fallen heroes, we will continue to honor their service by upholding the values they hold dear. Their legacy of courage, sacrifice, and dedication will continue to inspire us all.
In sorrow and solidarity,
Chad Brown
Chairman of the Board,
Gaston County Board of Commissioners
The NC Department of Corrections issued the statement below in a news release:
“These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state. 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.”
Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC owner David Tepper released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to learn members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and a CMPD officer were tragically killed in the line of duty today. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.” - David and Nicole Tepper
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 30, 2024We are deeply saddened to learn members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and a CMPD officer were tragically killed in the line of duty today.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.- David and Nicole Tepper
A GoFundMe has been started to provide support for those affected.
“As the investigation unfolds and the names of the fallen are confirmed, the community stands together in solidarity, determined to honor the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” the fundraiser reads.
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