Charlotte, North Carolina – Three law enforcement officers tragically lost their lives in a shooting incident while attempting to serve a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Among the deceased were one deputy US Marshal and two local task force officers. In total, eight officers were shot during the incident, as reported by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings at a news conference held on Monday evening.
The shooting occurred in the 5000 block of Galway Drive while members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force were executing a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to Jennings, the officers encountered gunfire from a “high-powered rifle” upon approaching the residence. In response, they returned fire, resulting in the fatal shooting of a suspect in the front yard.
Tragically, the US Marshals task force suffered three casualties, including a deputy US Marshal. Additionally, four Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were injured during the incident, with one officer in critical condition. The remaining officers are currently in stable condition as they receive medical treatment.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to notify the families of the officers involved. A 17-year-old and a woman found at the scene are currently being questioned by the police as “people of interest.” With the investigation in its early stages, many questions remain unanswered as law enforcement continues to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is closely monitoring the situation and is set to speak with the families of the victims and officials in Charlotte. Mayor Vi Lyles expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging the community to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. The tragic shooting marks one of the deadliest incidents in Charlotte’s history, leaving the community reeling from the loss of their dedicated officers.