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Toxicology and autopsy for suspect in east Charlotte police ambush released

A toxicology report says Terry Clark Hughes had THC in his system when he was killed during a shootout with U.S. Marshals in east Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Terry Clark Hughes Jr., the man who was shot and killed during a police ambush in east Charlotte earlier this year, had THC in his system when he was killed, documents show. 

WCNC Charlotte received copies of Hughes' autopsy and toxicology reports on Tuesday, which revealed Hughes had 12 bullet wounds following the shootout. The autopsy says Hughes had gunshot wounds to the arms, thighs, back, buttocks and shoulder. 

Investigators say Hughes killed four officers and wounded four others when they attempted to serve an arrest warrant on April 29. The officers were part of a U.S. Marshals task force. Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon in Lincoln County, which is about 30 miles northwest of Charlotte. 

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The officers killed were identified as CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, U.S. Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks and North Carolina corrections officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott

Court records show that Hughes had a lengthy criminal history in North Carolina

North Carolina state records show Hughes was convicted of breaking and entering in Person County, which is north of Raleigh-Durham, in 2010. He spent approximately six months in prison before being released in May 2011.

Hughes was arrested in June 2012 after a high-speed chase in Alamance County, which is east of Greensboro and west of Raleigh-Durham. Deputies said Hughes led them on a chase at speeds over 100 mph after turning around to avoid a checkpoint. At the time, he was wanted on several warrants in numerous counties for failing to appear in court. He spent nearly a year in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and speeding to elude arrest. 

Hughes was arrested by CMPD on multiple drug charges in May 2021. He was also charged with fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. He was released from jail hours later, records show.

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