An unspeakable tragedy unfolded in North Carolina on Monday when four law enforcement officers were killed and another four injured in a shootout with a suspect wanted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Police descended on the Charlotte neighborhood after four members of a U.S. Marshals Task Force were attacked while serving a warrant.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings mourned the staggering loss of life. “Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe.”
The Task Force was initially fired on by a man who was subsequently killed in the front yard of the residence. Authorities confirmed he was the person wanted on gun charges.
Then a second person fired on the officers from inside the home, apparently with a high-powered rifle. This led to a three-hour standoff as the surrounding neighborhood was evacuated, and the showdown then ended dramatically.
Armored vehicles crushed their way into the home, tearing the structure apart. Windows and doors were smashed and tree limbs were ripped off as the vehicles pushed their way through yards to gain entry.
A woman and a 17-year-old male were found inside, and they are currently being questioned.
Officials confirmed that a Marshal’s Service agent died in the gunfire along with two officers from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Jennings also announced that Charlotte-Mecklenburg policeman Joshua Eyer succumbed to his injuries a few hours later in the hospital.
Another task force member and three other city police officers were wounded attempting to rescue the injured officers.
The U.S. Marshal was the first to die in the line of duty since 2018.
A local media helicopter hovered over the scene after the destroyed residence was cleared. The pilot then declined to broadcast the video footage of the yard, calling it far too graphic and disturbing.
