A number of law enforcement officers have been shot in North Carolina, with four suffering fatal wounds while serving a state fugitive arrest warrant, according to police there.
“Numerous law enforcement officers struck by gunfire” in a situation off Galway Drive, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement at 2:16 p.m. ET.
The area is in the eastern part of Charlotte.
Officials said that multiple victims were being rushed to nearby hospitals and that, due to the scene still being active, roads were still blocked as of 3:08 p.m. Some nearby schools were also locked down.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said in a Monday night update that eight officers—some from the U.S. Marshals and some from local law enforcement—had been shot and injured in the “most tragic” shooting, with four having succumbed to their wounds.
The gunfire erupted when the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was serving a warrant to a convicted felon for possession of a firearm at a Charlotte home. They were confronted by “high-powered rifle” gunfire, to which they returned fire, the chief said. The suspect, who was a convicted felon, was shot dead in the front yard of the house during the response.
“As officers approached, they received additional gunfire from inside the residence,” Chief Jennings said.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, the U.S. Marshals Service said that a deputy U.S. marshal and two of their task force officers were among those killed. Several other task force members and local officers were also shot and wounded.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight for the lives shattered by today’s horrific shooting in Charlotte, NC. We mourn the loss of our Deputy and two Task Force Officers. We are grateful for all the support, and we keep the families and colleagues of all officers involved, in our thoughts,” the service said.
Chief Jennings said that four of the wounded officers were from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD and that one was in critical condition in the hospital, “fighting for his life.” The other officers were in stable condition.
The condition and names of the wounded officers are yet to be confirmed until their families can be notified.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD is conducting the investigation.
Two “people of interest” were also being questioned by police, Chief Jennings said in his update.
“We are very early in the investigation,” he said. “CMPD will lead this investigation, and we still have a lot to uncover, a lot of questions that are not answered right now.
“Historically, I can’t imagine that there’s one [from the Charlotte area] that’s any worse than what we’re seeing today,” the police chief said.
According to local media reports, a woman and a 17-year-old came out of the house when it was cleared by police after the deadly shooting.
“I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred that involved Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals today. I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a statement.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said that he was in touch with law enforcement and his office has offered state resources to help officials in Charlotte.
Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement on Monday night honoring the officers and marshals who died in the line of duty.
“Every single day, Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers put their lives on the line to apprehend some of our country’s most dangerous criminals. Today, three of those dedicated public servants made the ultimate sacrifice,“ Attorney General Merrick Garland said in statement. ”The Justice Department is heartbroken by the deaths of three of our own law enforcement colleagues, and we extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones as they grieve this unfathomable loss.”
The White House issued a statement on Monday night, saying that President Joe Biden had been briefed.
“He spoke to Governor Cooper, and expressed his condolences and support for the community. In addition, senior White House officials are in touch with federal, state, and local officials,” the statement reads.
