Charlotte, NC shooting: Suspect dead after four officers killed and four police officers injured

The Charlotte, North Carolina mayor was in touch with the White House today after the shooting that killed three US Marshal Task Force members.

“Today I heard from the White House, about the loss of our officers and the situation that we were having to adjust to,” Mayor Vi Liles said.

Ms Liles said several other politicians reached out to offer support, including North Carolina Representative Jeff Jackson.

Three US Marshal Task Force members were killed on Monday, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings told reporters.

Four law enforcement officers were also injured.

There were multiple suspected gunmen, Mr Jennings added. One suspect was shot at the scene and was later pronounced dead in the front yard of the home.

In response to the shooting in Charlotte, Joe Biden called for additional action to combat gun violence in the United States.

The US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which is comprised of members from several agencies, was attempting to serve a warrant when the shooting began, police said.

Three US Marshals were killed after a gunfight ensued and a further eight law enforcement officers were injured. All were taken to hospital, with one described as being in “critical condition”.

The neighbourhood, of one- and two-storey brick homes and small trimmed lawns, is very safe, said Alex Rivera, who lives on a street nearby.

“I see, like, 50 police cars zooming in, and then I hear gunshots,” he said on the front porch of the house he shares with his cousin.

“I was scared, because there was so much going on.”Another neighbour, William Cunningham, was moved to tears as he sat on his porch. He said he is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm but never expected such violence in his own neighbourhood.

“Bless those officers and bless their families,” he said. “Nobody should get killed over a warrant.”

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.

“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” Mr Biden said in a statement. “We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Jennings said two other individuals had been found inside the residence, where the deadly shootout with police occurred.

Chief Jennings said that one was a female, and the other was a 17-year-old.

Both were taken into custody following the incident and were being as considered “persons of interest”.

Four law officers serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and four other officers were wounded in a shootout yesterday at a North Carolina home, police said.

Some of the officers who rushed to the Charlotte neighborhood to rescue the first wave of downed officers were wounded as a second shooter began firing on them after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.

“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Mr Jennings said at a news conference.

After a three-hour standoff, the suburban Charlotte home was torn open.

Armored vehicles smashed into it, ripping off windows and entire doorways that were left broken. Several armored vehicles were parked across yards, some with tree branches dangling off them.

The Marshal’s Service confirmed one of its agents was killed. Two officers from the state Department of Adult Correction also were killed, said North Carolina governor Roy Cooper. The governor was in Charlotte and was speaking to the families of the officers killed and hurt. Their names have not been released.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyer died a few hours later at the hospital, Mr Jennings said. Eyer was named the officer of the month for the force for April a few weeks ago, the chief said.

“He certainty gave his life and dedicated his life to protecting our citizens,” Mr Jennings said.

One other member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other officers from across the region was injured.

Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who responded to the scene were shot while trying to rescue the wounded officers.

Three US Marshals were killed during a fierce shootout with suspects in Charlotte, North Carolina, that left a further eight law enforcement officers wounded.

The incident erupted after members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) attempted to serve a warrant on an individual for possession of firearm by a convicted felon at a residence near Galway Drive. When the officers approached the individual they were met with gunfire, police chief Johnny Jennings said.

Officers had returned gunfire and struck the victim, who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of the residents. As they approached the individual they were met with additional gunfire from inside of the residence, which the officers returned.

“Tragically, there were three members of the US Marshals Task Force, who were pronounced deceased,” chief Jennings told a press conference on Monday.

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