Charlotte shooting latest: Suspect dead after four US Marshals killed and four officers injured

Biden calls for additional action to combat gun violence

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

Joe Biden

Namita Singh30 April 2024 07:30

Officials were serving warrant when shooting began: police

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”.

Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 07:00

Charlotte neighbourhood very safe, say ‘scared’ residents

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.”

Namita Singh30 April 2024 06:30

Biden condoles killing of US Marshalls

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.”

Namita Singh30 April 2024 06:06

Two residents of house where shootout occurred taken into custody

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”.

Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 06:00

Four law officers serving warrant shot dead

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.

Namita Singh30 April 2024 05:24

ICYMI: Suspect dead in Charlotte shooting that left three US Marshals dead and eight wounded

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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Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 05:00

What is the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force?

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, a branch of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, is made up of more than 70 federal, state, or local agencies and has 11 fully operational offices, according to the US Marshals website.

The task force was serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina when Monday’s gunfire erupted, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police Johnny Jennings later confirmed that three US Marshals had been killed during the shootout on Monday.

“Today’s an absolutely tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement. Today we lost some heroes that are out to just simply trying to keep our community safe,” he said, speaking at a press conference.

“This is a good example of what we try to tell people every single day, that when we put on this uniform, that we don’t have any guarantees that will return home... Yet we have a lot of great men and women across this entire country that do it every single day to make sure that you’re safe and your communities.”

Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 04:15

Neighbours describe Charlotte shootout in residential area as ‘gunfire galore'

Neighbours caught up in the incident in Charlotte on Monday described the situation at “gunfire galore”.

Local resident Tyler Wilson told WBTV officers had streamed into his home, including one who appeared to use his window to operate a sniper rifle.

At one point, Mr Wilson told the outlet, an injured officer had been dragged through his home by his shoulders, though he was able to see the extent of the officer’s injuries.

He described the scene as “gunfire galore,” with officers army-crawling through his backyard, hiding behind trees, and jumping around bushes.

Officers ordered Mr Wilson and two others in the home to hide in a back room as the gunfire was ongoing. The area was later declared safe by police at around 5pm local time.

Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 03:32

Gun violence prevention group Brady responds to Charlotte shootings

Gun violence prevention group Brady released a statement in response to the shootings in Charlotte on Monday.

“This is a tragic result of the fact that in America, there are more guns than there are people. These officers were slain on the job with a weapon designed for the battlefield right in the Charlotte community,” said Kris Brown, president of Brady.

“My heart breaks for the families who will now have to bury their loved ones and for those who’ve been injured in such a horrific way. It is not just the people who were shot who will forever carry this pain; mass shootings inflict lasting trauma on entire communities.

“Until we change our nation’s laws, reform the gun industry, and change hearts and minds about what this uniquely American epidemic is doing to our country, we’ll remain locked in an arms race where not even our law enforcement officers can stop the carnage.”

Mike Bedigan30 April 2024 03:15