CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three law enforcement officers serving on a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and one Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer were killed after being met with "active gunfire" while trying to serve warrants in east Charlotte on Monday afternoon.
A total of eight officers were shot, including three CMPD officers and another task force agent. All four officers were taken to the hospital for treatment. A ninth officer was not shot but was hurt during the incident by breaking his foot.
The incident started around 1 p.m. when U.S. marshals attempted to serve warrants on 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr. at a home on Galway Drive, which is near Julian Underwood Park. Neighbors were told to stay in their homes for hours until the scene was finally safe around 5 p.m.
Deadly police shooting timeline
Monday, April 29
1:30 p.m.: Shootout begins when U.S. Marshals Task Force attempts to serve warrants.
1:38 p.m.: CMPD scanner traffic reports shots were fired on officers on Galway Drive
1:45 p.m.: CMPD confirms an active investigation. Officials urge people to avoid the area and ask neighbors to stay in their homes. A witness told WCNC Charlotte she saw six police cars go past Greater Providence Baptist Church.
2:08 p.m.: CMPD confirms multiple victims were taken to the hospital. At this time, it's still unclear if they're officers, the suspect or bystanders.
2:16 p.m.: Officials confirm multiple officers were shot at the home. Independence Boulevard is closed for easier first responder access to the scene.
2:44 p.m.: CMPD confirms the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was met with "active gunfire" from a person at the home. Multiple officers were shot. CMPD SWAT was called to the area.
3:12 p.m.: CMS says four schools in the area were put on a modified lockdown due to the police activity. I-77 reopens near the exit for John Belk Freeway/I-277.
3:43 p.m.: CMS lockdowns are lifted, district confirms.
3:53 p.m.: NBC News confirms a U.S. deputy marshal was among those shot while serving a warrant. One official confirmed the marshal was in surgery. Three other members of the task force, local police officers, were also shot.
4:57 p.m.: CMPD says the house is clear and the area is safe. AT least one person was found dead at the house when officers went inside, according to CMPD. Officers confirmed two other people were found inside the house.
5:47 p.m.: The U.S. Marshals Service confirms one deputy U.S. marshal was killed during the warrant operation. The agency says CMPD is leading the investigation and doesn't confirm how many officers were shot during the standoff.
5:50 p.m.: CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings says eight law enforcement officers, four from the task force and four CMPD officers, were shot during the incident. Three officers are confirmed dead.
6:24 p.m.: CMPD confirms three U.S. Marshals task force members were killed. Five additional officers were shot, including four CMPD officers. One CMPD officer was in critical condition.
6:39 p.m.: Gov. Roy Cooper issues a statement confirming two Department of Corrections officers were killed during the shootout. "Our hearts are with the families and co-workers of officers in today's brutal attack," Cooper said.
8:06 p.m.: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland releases a statement on the incident, saying in part, "Today, three of those dedicated public servants made the ultimate sacrifice."
9:15 p.m.: Johnny Jennings confirms CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer died. Eyer spent six years with CMPD and was part of the department's 178th recruiting class. "We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice," CMPD says in a statement announcing his death.
11:02 p.m.: President Joe Biden releases statement on the shooting, calling the officers who were killed "heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm's way to protect us." Biden says the country must do more to protect law enforcement officers. "May God bless these fallen heroes," Biden said.
Tuesday, April 30
3:02 a.m.: CMPD identifies the suspect as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr. The agency said Hughes was wanted on multiple warrants from Lincoln County and confirmed he was killed during the standoff.
8:33 a.m.: Jennings tells Fox News he cannot confirm there were two shooters, which was previously reported by law enforcement. Jennings said it's possible that Hughes was moving throughout the house, creating the illusion of multiple gunmen.
10:48 a.m.: Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office issues a statement saying it will coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to search for answers about what happened during Monday's "unspeakable tragedy."
11:14 a.m.: Officials identify one of the U.S. marshals killed as Thomas Weeks.
5:18 p.m.: The Statesville Police Department confirms that one of its officers was hurt in the shooting. Corporal Casey Hoover was serving on a U.S. Marshals Task Force when he was shot. Hoover is expected to make a full recovery.
Editor's Note: The Statesville Police Department announced Tuesday evening one of its own officers was among those hurt during the incident. This means five officers were hurt on Monday.
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