4 officers killed, 4 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home: police
CHARLOTTE (WJZY) — Four law enforcement officers were killed in a shootout that erupted when a U.S. Marshals Task Force tried to serve a warrant at a North Carolina home on Monday. Four other officers were wounded, and a suspect is also dead.
A wanted man shot at officers Monday afternoon as they approached a suburban home in Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CPMD).
Members of the task force returned fire, striking the suspect in front of the home. His name was not released, but police said he was wanted as a felon illegally possessing a weapon.
A second shooter then began firing at officers after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.
A woman and a 17-year-old male were found in the home after a three-hour standoff that included armored vehicles crashing into the residence in a tree-lined neighborhood and tearing off doorways and windows. The two are being questioned, Jennings said.
The Marshal’s Service confirmed one of its agents was killed. Two officers from the state Department of Adult Correction were also killed, said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. The governor was in Charlotte and was speaking to the families of the slain and injured officers.
"Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said during Monday's press briefing.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyer died a few hours later at the hospital, Jennings said. Eyer was named the officer of the month for the force for April just a few weeks ago.
“He certainty gave his life and dedicated his life to protecting our citizens,” Jennings said.
Another member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other officers from across the region, was injured. Four CPMD officers who responded to the scene were also shot while trying to rescue the wounded officers. One of them is in critical condition, Jennings said.
An original police call made over the radio on Monday indicated that multiple officers were shot and wounded during a barricade situation.
Heavy gunfire could be heard for several minutes.
Police issued a "severe alert" after the shooting broke out, asking people to stay inside their homes and avoid the neighborhood, Nexstar's WJZY reported.
Multiple law enforcement vehicles were spotted speeding toward the crime scene. Police said many roads in the area, including Interstate 77, were closed for faster ambulance transport.
"Please keep CMPD in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with an active incident," the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were also placed on lockdown around afternoon dismissal, but that was lifted in the late afternoon, the district said.
Rissa Reign, who lives nearby, said was cleaning her house when she heard the first shots ring out. There was a pause, then a second set of shots and then a third. She stepped outside.
“When we came outside, there were no cops at all, then cops started rushing, rushing, rushing, rushing in,” she told the Associated Press, adding armored SWAT trucks quickly followed and they "were going over the grass, everything, and they started shooting again.”
By Monday evening, community members had placed several flowers outside the US Marshals headquarters in Charlotte. An American flag outside the building was also lowered to half-staff.
“I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred that involved Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals today,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyes said in a statement. “I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Charlotte with 70 federal, state and local agencies. Fugitive task forces are collaborations between agencies to find and arrest suspects in crimes. The regional task force has apprehend more than 8,900 fugitives within six years, the U.S. Marshals Service said on its website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.