City wakes up mourning horrific loss of 4 law enforcement officers killed in line of duty
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The City of Charlotte is mourning the horrific loss of four of its law enforcement officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty while attempting to serve a warrant on a suspect in an east Charlotte residential community.
Around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 29, a US Marshals Fugitive Task Force was attempting to serve a warrant on a suspect, who was wanted for gun possession as a felon out of Lincoln County, at a home on Galway Drive.
3 US Marshals members and CMPD officer killed while serving warrant in east Charlotte
As officers approached the home, the suspect, who has been identified as Terry Hughes, 39, opened fire and a shootout ensued. Eight officers were struck, four of them fatally.
As more officers arrived on the scene gunfire continued until Hughes exited the home and was shot and killed in the front yard by law enforcement.
CMPD later said two women, that included a teenager, remained in the home and were arrested following the second reported shootout. Those two have not yet been identified and there is no mention of any charges against those two at this time.
Monday’s tragedy was a stark reminder of what law enforcement officers face each day.
“We will always be indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and his sacrifice,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said late Monday night of CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, one of the casualties. The other three victims were members of the US Marshals Service.
‘Keep my head on a swivel.’ East Charlotte neighbors take cover during tragic shootout
“Just last month I was in this room congratulating Officer Eyer for becoming Officer of the Month. He gave his life serving our citizens,” Chief Jennings said.
Chief Jennings said Eyer is the father of a 3-year-old son.
“These are our fathers, our husbands,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said during a news conference late Monday afternoon. Lyles said she had heard from the White House and that North Carolina Governor Cooper was traveling to Charlotte.
President Biden released a statement that in part said “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.”
The details of those killed and injured as well as information on the additional suspects are as follows:
Law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty
Officer Joshua Eyer, CMPD (Also a Sergeant First Class in the North Carolina Army National Guard – 211th Military Police Company)
Samuel Poloche, NC Dept. of Adult Corrections (Member of U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force)
William Elliott, NC Dept. of Adult Corrections (Member of U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force)
Deputy U.S. Marshal – Identity not yet released
Suspect killed – Terry Hughes
Law enforcement officers injured in the line of duty
Three CMPD officers – Identities not yet released
Member of U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force – Identity not yet released
Two suspects arrested – Identities not yet released
“We lost some heroes,” said an emotional Chief Jennings Monday afternoon. Jennings has been with the department for more than 30 years and chief since 2020. “Today is an absolute tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement.”
CMPD will hold a news conference Tuesday at 11 a.m. to discuss the latest details. Gov. Cooper will be in attendance. Queen City News will livestream the news conference.
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