CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a tragic incident that unfolded in Charlotte, North Carolina, three officers from a U.S. Marshals task force were fatally shot, while five others were wounded after a suspect unleashed gunfire following a warrant being served.
According to authorities, the shooting erupted when the U.S. Marshals task force attempted to serve a warrant to a convicted felon for firearm possession. The suspect in question was the one who initiated the gunfire, as confirmed by the police during a press briefing on Monday evening. The suspect was later found dead.
Law enforcement officials suspect the involvement of two shooters in the incident. Two persons of interest, including a 17-year-old juvenile and a woman, were taken to the police station for further interrogation.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) reported that a total of eight law enforcement officers were shot during the encounter. Tragically, three officers from the U.S. Marshals task force, including one deputy and two task force officers, lost their lives.
Additionally, four Charlotte police officers sustained injuries, with one of them in critical condition, along with another U.S. Marshals task force officer who was wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
Charlotte Police Chief Johnny Jennings described the event as the most tragic incident in his 32-year tenure with the department, emphasizing the gravity of the situation with three officers killed, one in critical condition, and several others injured.
The community was urged to stay indoors as a SWAT team responded to the scene. Governor Roy Cooper expressed his awareness of the shooting and offered state resources to assist law enforcement in managing the aftermath.
Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker emphasized the need to support and honor law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily, calling for zero tolerance towards violence directed at officers.
As investigations continue into the incident, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is expected to release more details. The community remains shaken by the tragic events that unfolded in the Shannon Park neighborhood on Monday afternoon.