Four law enforcement officers, including three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, were killed and four others injured in a shooting while attempting to execute a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, authorities said Monday.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Chief Johnny Jennings said that around 1:30 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were investigating the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at a residence in suburban Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Chief of Police said they were attempting to obtain a warrant for the incident. Press conference. The suspect opened fire with a “high-powered rifle” as officers approached the residence, Jennings said.
Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead in the front yard of the residence, Jennings said. Another person inside the residence then fired shots at the officers.
After a “long standoff,” officers entered the residence and took two people, including a 17-year-old, inside and detained them for questioning, Jennings said. Jennings said at least one of the two appears to have fired shots at the officers.
“Today is an absolutely tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for law enforcement,” Jennings said at a news conference. “Today we lost heroes who were just trying to keep our communities safe.”
Three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force were pronounced dead, Jennings said. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police later confirmed that the officer who was critically injured in the shooting died at a hospital.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said: Post to XFormerly known as Twitter, the two slain officers were said to have worked in a special unit of the U.S. Marshals Service at the time and were employees of the state Department of Adult Corrections.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we think of the lives shattered by today's horrific shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina. We mourn the loss of a deputy and two special forces officers.” The U.S. Marshals Service said:. “We appreciate all the support and keep the families and colleagues of all the officers involved in our thoughts.”
CMPD officer critically injured in shooting identified
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Officer Joshua Eyer died from his injuries Monday night. According to the police, Iyer had been employed in the police department's North Tryon Division for six years.
“We are forever grateful for Officer Eyer's courage and ultimate sacrifice,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement. statement. “His life and contributions will never be forgotten.”
Approximately 21 Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were killed in shootings prior to Monday's incident, according to the nonprofit Officer Down Memorial Page. In 2007, two Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call in east Charlotte.
“I've been with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 32 years…this is the most tragic (case) I've ever been involved with,” Jennings said early Monday. “I don't know historically, but I can't imagine anything worse than what we're seeing today.”
The last time a federal marshal was shot and killed in the line of duty was in 2018, according to the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund. Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase White was killed in November 2018 while executing a felony arrest warrant in Tucson, Arizona.
“Residents no longer need to evacuate.”
After a standoff, police removed the home and found two people inside. Police also issued a full lifting about three hours after telling residents to “stay away from the area.”
“Residents no longer need to shelter in place,” police said.
By late Monday afternoon, police were questioning two other people inside the home, the department said. Jennings said both men were taken to the police station as persons of interest and investigators are now trying to determine “exactly what happened inside the residence.”
CMPD and other law enforcement agencies will remain at the scene of the shooting to investigate, the department said. As a result, some nearby roads will remain closed to traffic.
“Many of the questions that need answers, we don't even know what those questions are right now,” Jennings said. “We need to fully understand why this happened, and we need to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”
Amid the gunfire, the road was blocked and closed for rapid ambulance transport, WBTV reported. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Four schools were put on lockdown, and police later said they were fired after they issued a general release.
Tyler Wilson, a neighbor of the home involved in the shooting, described the scene to WBTV as “a lot of gunfire.” Wilson told a local television station that dozens of law enforcement officers used her home and backyard during the incident.
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Officials, religious leaders offer condolences to CMPD officers
Lyles addressed the shooting in a post on
“Dear Charlotte residents, please keep them and the other injured officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Lyles wrote in the post. ” he said.
Several other local and state officials also expressed condolences, including Sen. Thom Tillis, who called the incident “the attack in Charlotte.”
The Rev. Connie Shelton, bishop of North Carolina, offered words of comfort in the aftermath of the shooting, which occurred about 20 minutes from the convention center where the United Methodist Church's General Assembly meets.
“We are mindful of the violence, despair, and pain in the world and how that despair affects others,” Shelton said. “Oh, God, in the midst of the chaos of this moment, I ask that your Spirit would bring clarity and order in the midst of the pain.”
“We have been in contact with law enforcement regarding the tragic shootings in the Charlotte area and have provided state resources to assist,” Cooper said in the X post. He then expressed his condolences to “the families and colleagues of the police officers affected by today's brutal attack”.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice also expressed condolences and extended support to law enforcement.
“Every day, our nation's deputy marshals and special agents risk their lives to apprehend our nation's most dangerous criminals,” Garland said in a statement. “Today, we recognize some of these dedicated public servants. “Three people made the ultimate sacrifice.” Several other police officers were seriously injured while carrying out this operation to protect the community. ”
What is the Marshall Task Force?
The group of officers involved in Monday's shooting were part of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, said Brady McCarron, deputy chief of the sheriff's office public affairs office.
In addition to U.S. Marshals personnel, McCarron said the task force includes personnel from local law enforcement agencies such as state police, county sheriffs and local police departments, as well as local probation officers and investigators from the district attorney's office. It is said that it is configured.
McCarron added that task forces are typically formed after local law enforcement contacts sheriffs for help executing outstanding warrants.
“Say Charlotte-Mecklenburg,'' McCarron said, referring to the police department involved Monday, “knowing where he was, but knowing they couldn't get him themselves.'' was. At that point, we will adopt the warrant. ”
McCarron said the officers involved Monday were part of the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, one of the largest of eight regional units.
It's also the latest, according to the Marshalls website. Formed in 2018. We work with more than 70 federal, state, and local agencies. We have 11 offices between North Carolina and South Carolina. and arrested more than 8,900 fugitives.
The agency is the law enforcement arm of the Department of Justice and traces its origins to President George Washington, who appointed the first 13 sheriffs in 1789. Five years later, Robert Forsythe became the first of more than 200 sheriffs and deputy sheriffs to be killed. According to authorities, the obligation.
Contributor: Liam Adams, Nashville, Tennessee