CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a shooting in east Charlotte claimed the lives of four law enforcement officers and injured five others on Monday, the Charlotte metro area and beyond showed its caring nature by posting remembrances, sharing kind words and extending prayers and thoughts toward those impacted.
One of the injured CMPD officers, Joshua Eyer, "fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries," CMPD confirmed. Eyer worked with CMPD's North Tryon Division for six years. The three other law enforcement officers have since been identified as Sam Poloche, Alden Elliott, and Thomas M. Weeks Jr. Both Poloche and Elliott were 14-year veterans of the agency. Weeks was a 13-year veteran of the agency.
The Carolina Panthers owner and his wife David and Nicole Tepper posted on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, "our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy."
The Charlotte Hornets extended heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the shooting, saying on Facebook, "we mourn the loss of the CMPD officer and 3 members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force that were killed in the line of duty while working to protect our community. Our thoughts are with their friends and families, those throughout the law enforcement community and our city of Charlotte."
The Minor League Baseball team called Charlotte Knights released a statement Tuesday, saying "We express our deepest condolences to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and everyone affected by the horrific tragedy that occurred in Charlotte on Monday.” At Tuesday's game at Truist Field, the team plans to hold a moment of silence to honor those fallen officers.
The Chester County Sheriff's Office held a prayer vigil Tuesday morning to honor the lives lost in the shootout.
Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown said "we grieve with the families of those fallen heroes and pray for the full recovery of the officers who were wounded. It is tough today to carry on as we continue our mission to serve and protect. We stand with all who are suffering as we are humbled by these officers who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Matthews Police Department changed a routine traffic sign at Trade Street and Fullwood Lane in support of the fallen officers.
Many other law enforcement agencies posted, including the York County Sheriff's Office, saying "YCSO is hurting with you. Your sacrifice is not in vain." The Morrisville Police Department said its "thoughts and prayers are with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the loved ones of those who passed away and were injured during this horrible incident." The Jamestown Police Department in South Carolina posted, saying "everyday is a risk that you may not come home. It takes a special person to risk so much for those who care so little!!"
Agencies as far away as Boulder, Colorado, offered its "heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department , the United States Marshals Service and the North Carolina Department of Corrections on the loss of their officers yesterday."
StarMed Healthcare announced Tuesday its plans to match all donations up to $50,000 made to the GoFundMe set up to support the fallen CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer.
Another GoFundMe was set up by Back the Blue, with the goal to raise $250,000 for the families of the fallen officers.
UNC Charlotte, which was experiencing its own difficult time with Tuesday being the the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting on its campus, still took time to express its condolences with the Charlotte community.
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 Monday.
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