A US Marshal, two North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections officers, and a Charlotte police officer were killed Monday in a shootout while they were serving a warrant in the North Carolina city.
Officer Joshua Eyer has passed away tonight from his injuries after being shot in the line of duty this afternoon while assisting other officers with the apprehension of a suspect. Officer Eyer faithfully served the CMPD’s North Tryon Division for six years and was a member of… pic.twitter.com/TwrINLkJUT
— CMPD News (@CMPD) April 30, 2024
Police told residents in the neighborhood to shelter in place as the situation unfolded Monday afternoon, as CrimeOnline reported.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department said members of a US Marshals Fugitive Task Force approached a home in east Charlotte around 1:30 p.m. to serve a warrant on Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., who was wanted in Lincoln County for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of fleeing to elude, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Three members of the task force were killed when Hughes opened fire and a fourth was wounded. Charlotte Mecklenburg officers responded to assist, and four of them were shot as well.
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. pic.twitter.com/ZVOUfielDu
— U.S. Marshals Service (@USMarshalsHQ) April 29, 2024
The officers shot back, and Hughes, 39, was struck and later died in the front yard of the home. Two people inside the home were taken into custody. It’s not clear what, if any, charges are filed or if they were involved in the shootout.
One of the Charlotte officers who was struck, identified as Joshua Eyer, died at the hospital, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings told WSOC. The state corrections officers who were killed were identified as Sam Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott. The marshal’s identity has not been released.
Tonight we are mourning the loss of two members of our #NCDAC family, killed today in a tragic shooting in #Charlotte.
Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot were both 14-year agency veterans assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.
📰 https://t.co/EmfqfBvCnZ pic.twitter.com/H7vGGHnuN9
— NCAdultCorrection (@NCCorrection) April 30, 2024
Eyer leaves behind a wife and 3-year-old son and had served in the department’s Tryon Division for six years, the Observer reported.
“We’ll always be indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and his sacrifice for this profession,” Jennings said Monday night. “It was just (recently), I was in this very room, congratulating Officer Eyer for becoming Officer of the Month in April. He certainly dedicated his life, and gave his life, to serve our citizens.”
The Department of Adult Corrections said that both Poloche and Elliott were 14-year veterans of the department. Poloche was married with two children, Elliott married with one child.
“These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state.” said department Secretary Todd Ishee. “We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident.”
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[Featured image: Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott/North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, and Joshua Eyer/Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department]
