CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Law enforcement authorities in North Carolina’s largest city confirmed on Friday that the fatal shooting of four officers a month ago was carried out by a lone gunman, ruling out any possibility of friendly fire in the incident.
Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department made the announcement during a press conference, stating that all casualties were solely the result of one shooter. The horrific incident on April 29 in a residential neighborhood left four officers dead and four others wounded, marking it as the deadliest shooting targeting law enforcement officers since the tragic event in Dallas in 2016.
The officers, who were part of a U.S. Marshals Task Force in Charlotte, were met with gunfire when attempting to serve warrants on a suspect wanted on charges of possessing a firearm as an ex-felon and fleeing from authorities. The gunman, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr., was fatally shot by law enforcement officers during the incident.
Despite initial confusion that there might have been multiple shooters due to the suspect moving between windows in the residence, further investigation revealed that Hughes acted alone. Additionally, it was determined that two females present in the home did not engage in firing at the officers during the ordeal.
The intense gun battle lasted over 17 minutes, with at least 12 officers returning fire as they exchanged shots with Hughes. Armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a 40-caliber handgun, Hughes eventually jumped out of a second-floor window and was shot by officers in the front yard.
Authorities also noted that an armored vehicle was brought in to evacuate the wounded officers after they observed movement from a second-story window. Suppressing fire was utilized at specific locations where the suspect was firing from to facilitate the safe evacuation of the injured officers.
Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department expressed the gravity of the situation, referring to it as “the most tragic time” in their department’s history. The fallen officers were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.
The investigation, which was extensive in scope, involved analyzing video footage from body-worn cameras, conducting officer interviews, and examining physical evidence. Despite the sorrowful events, the department remains steadfast in carrying out its work amidst the loss and aftermath of the tragic incident.