CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three law enforcement officers serving on a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and one Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer were killed Monday after being met with “active gunfire” from a suspect at an east Charlotte home. A total of nine law enforcement officers were hurt, including three CMPD officers, a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force member, and one CMPD who suffered a broken foot during the incident.
The officers were serving together on a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force when they were shot while confronting a suspect inside a home on Galway Drive. The officers were rushed to the hospital. Three task force officers were pronounced dead at the hospital. One of the injured CMPD officers "fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries," CMPD confirmed late Tuesday night.
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Joshua Eyer was identified as the CMPD officer who died on Monday night. Eyer worked with CMPD's North Tryon Division for six years and was recently named the department's Officer of the Month. A GoFundMe has been set up in his memory.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction identified Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott as two of the other killed officers. Both Poloche and Elliott were 14-year veterans of the agency.
The fourth officer killed during the shooting Monday was identified by the U.S. Marshals Service as Thomas Weeks. He was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Around 1:30 p.m. Monday, officers were attempting to serve a warrant on Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., 39, for a possession of a firearm by a felon charge and two counts of felony flee elude out. The charges were from Lincoln County, North Carolina, which is northwest of Charlotte.
Officers were shot when approaching the home, according to CMPD. Officers shot back at Hughes, who was killed at the scene.
"I do know that they were immediately met with gunfire," Johnny Jennings, the CMPD police chief, said Tuesday. "There's indication that the suspect saw them coming to the house prior to them getting to the front door."
"The suspect had the upper advantage to the officers," Jenning said. "He was shooting from upstairs."
On Tuesday, Jennings said there was no definitive evidence to suggest there was a second shooter.
Jennings believes all of the officers were shot by Hughes. He said there was no indication of any friendly fire.
The CMPD SWAT team and MEDIC's mass casualty unit were among those who responded to the shooting scene. After officers shot Hughes, SWAT negotiated with the others inside the home.
Officers questioned two people who were found inside the house during the standoff. CMPD said Tuesday those two people have not been charged with anything at this time.
Residents living near Galway Drive, which is located near Julian Underwood Park, were told to stay inside their homes until police were able to make the neighborhood safe around 5 p.m. The shooting occurred at a home not far from the intersection of The Plaza and Milton Road.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools confirmed four schools were on a modified lockdown due to the shooting. The schools were Devonshire Elementary School, Briarwood Academy, Cochrane Collegiate and Lawrence Orr Elementary School.
Inside the neighborhood, WCNC Charlotte spoke with a neighbor who said he received a phone call from someone explaining there was a shooting in the area.
"He said there's a man shooting over there," the neighbor told WCNC Charlotte's Jesse Pierre. "Man, we never had nothing like this before. Never. I've been over here for 27 years. It's wild, man."
In response to the shooting, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Charlotte where he said he would meet with families and victims.
"Yesterday, eight families had to be told that their loved ones had been shot in the line of duty," Cooper said Tuesday. "It was news they'd hoped would never come. North Carolina and this country lost four heroes and saw four other heroes wounded."
"I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred," Vi Lyles, Charlotte's mayor, said on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. "I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, and the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
President Biden released a statement honoring the fallen officers.
"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."
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During the shooting, four other CMPD officers were injured. They were identified Tuesday as Chris Talley, Michael Giglio, Jack Blowers, and Joshua Campbell.
A Stateville police officer was also hurt in the shooting. Corporal Casey Hoover was serving as a member of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force when he was shot in the upper part of his body. Hoover is expected to make a full recovery.
The shooting investigation impacted many Charlotte drivers. For miles around the shooting scene Monday, police officers temporarily closed busy roads such as Interstate 77, Interstate 277 and U.S. 74 (Independence Blvd.) as ambulances carried injured officers to local hospitals.
To help the loved ones of the CMPD officers and U.S. Marshals killed in the line of duty, you can show your support by visiting the Back the Blue NC GoFundMe here.
Editor's Note: The Statesville Police Department announced Tuesday evening one of its own officers was among those hurt during the incident. This means five officers were hurt on Monday.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.