CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New photos released Tuesday show the aftermath of the deadly shootout at a home in east Charlotte that killed four law enforcement officials and hurt five others.
The front of the house was destroyed during the encounter, with the front entrance and multiple windows blown out and covered with debris. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said the suspect, 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr., opened fire on a group of officers who were there to serve warrants for his arrest.
Hughes allegedly fired from an upstairs area in the front and back of the house, which led officers to believe multiple shooters were involved. Jennings said that theory is still on the table, but more evidence needs to be reviewed before other suspects are considered.
Galway Drive home where officers were killed in Charlotte, NC
Jennings said officers recovered multiple weapons at the house, including an AR-15 rifle and a .40-caliber handgun. Agents also recovered "well over" 100 rounds of ammunition and magazines. How Hughes, a convicted felon, got the weapons remains under investigation.
The neighborhood surrounding the house, which is about a block from Julian Underwood Park, was on edge for nearly five hours while the shooting and investigation unfolded. CMPD urged residents to stay inside and avoid the area. Officers also shut down several major roads, including Interstate 77 and Independence Boulevard, to allow first responders easier access to the area. At least four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools campuses were on lockdown while police were investigating what happened.
The City of Charlotte's Code Enforcement division is taking proactive steps to ensure the house doesn't remain like a war zone in the days ahead. The city plans on sending the homeowner a notice instructing them to both clean up the yard debris and secure the actual house to help prevent unauthorized access and further damage. They'd have seven to 10 days to comply.
Beyond that, the city plans on completing a comprehensive inspection of the home to make sure all minimum housing code violations are addressed. WCNC Charlotte has been unable to make contact with the owners.
All four officers who were killed in the shooting have been identified, with the U.S. Marshals Service announcing that Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks died after being shot. Weeks, who spent the last 10 years of his career in Charlotte with the USMS, leaves behind a wife and four children. The others who died were identified as CMPD Officer Joshua Eyers and North Carolina Department of Adult Correction officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott.
Five other officers were taken to the hospital for treatment. Three of those officers have been released, according to Jennings
Monday's shooting was the first time in 17 years that a CMPD officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clock were killed in the parking lot of an east Charlotte apartment complex in March 2007 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The shooter was found guilty of first-degree murder for both of their deaths.
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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