Charlotte shooting: U.S. marshal and 3 other law officers killed while serving warrant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A U.S. marshal and three other law enforcement officials never returned home after a shooting in Charlotte Monday.

Charlotte police held a news conference about the incident at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with remarks from Gov. Roy Cooper, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Attorney General Josh Stein and Ronald Davis, director of the U.S. Marshals Service.

During the conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Chief Johnny Jennings said 14-year veterans and correction officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot were killed. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyers, a six-year veteran, was critically wounded and later died.

It was also revealed the deputy U.S. marshal who died in the shooting was 48-year-old Thomas M. Weeks. He was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service, serving in the Western District of North Carolina for the last ten years.

Jennings said three of the four officers injured in the incident have been released from the hospital:

• Jack Blowers suffered from a gunshot wound and was released on MondayMike Giglio suffered from a gunshot wound and was released on MondayJustin Campbell broke his foot and was released on Tuesday

The fourth injured officer Chris Tolley suffered from a gunshot wound and underwent surgery. He is recovering in the hospital but is in stable condition.

“This is certainly a tragedy that’s going to impact, I would say, our country for a very long time,” he said. “It’s a scar on Charlotte, but a scar that won’t heal.”

Investigators are still processing the residence where the shooting happened, Jennings said. They recovered an AR-15 rifle, a 40-caliber handgun, ammunition and magazines.

He said 12 CMPD officers fired their service weapons, and all were placed under administrative leave. The officers will continue to be investigated.

The two suspects — two women inside the home during the shooting — are cooperating with the investigation. Jennings said they are not looking or interested in any additional suspects.

He said this remains an active investigation.

Things unfolded Monday when a marshal task force attempted to serve a warrant on a convicted felon suspected of possessing illegal firearms in the North Tryon Division.

When the task force arrived at the home, someone fired at the officers.

A tense standoff lasted nearly four hours until 39-year-old Terry Hughes Jr. was killed in the front yard of the home. Hughes Jr. is the convicted felon the warrant was to be served.

WATCH | U.S. marshal and 3 other law officers killed while serving warrant in Charlotte

“I’ve lived here 14 years and nothing like this has happened before,” Franklin Flores Rivera, a neighbor, said. “Unfortunately, it happened today, and hopefully, it never happens again.”

President Joe Biden released a statement Monday regarding the tragedy:

“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 head 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.”