Numerous law enforcement officers shot in Charlotte, North Carolina, police say
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Numerous law enforcement officers carrying out a task force operation were shot Monday afternoon as they came under fire in Charlotte, North Carolina, police said.
Officers from several agencies in the U.S. Marshals Task Force were carrying out the investigation in a suburban neighborhood when “a subject” began firing at them, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Multiple victims were taken to hospitals and the gunfire continued at the scene for several minutes. A SWAT team was in the neighborhood on the east side of the city, police said.
Authorities did not say exactly how many officers were struck by gunfire. WSOC-TV said their helicopter captured an armored vehicle driving through yards and knocking over recycling bins before officers removed a person with blood on their shirt who was then loaded into an ambulance.
Many roads in the area were closed so ambulances could get to hospitals faster. Police urged people to stay away from the neighborhood and asked residents to remain inside their homes.
Fugitive task forces are collaborations between agencies to find and arrest suspects in crimes. The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Charlotte with 70 federal, state and local agencies.
In six years, the regional task force has apprehend more than 8,900 fugitives, the U.S. Marshals Service said on its website.
UPDATE (6:20 pm):
CMPD has confirmed three members of the U.S. Marshall Task Force are dead after serving a warrant in Charlotte.
Four more CMPD officers and one other U.S. Marshall were shot, bring the total to eight total law enforcement officers. One CMPD officer is in ‘very critical condition’. There is no update on their injuries at this time.
At 1:30 in the afternoon, the U.S. Marshall Fugitive Task Force served a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at the 5000 block of Galway Drive. While attempting to serve that warrant, officers were fired upon by a subject, who was shot and killed outside the home in the front yard. More gunfire came from inside the residence. Two additional suspects that were inside the residence were taken in for questioning.
One suspect had a ‘high-powered rifle’ according to CMPD. CMPD is leading the investigation into what happened.
UPDATE (10:00 pm):
CMPD has confirmed Officer Joshua Eyer has passed away tonight from his injuries after being shot in the line of duty this afternoon while assisting other officers with the apprehension of a suspect.
UPDATE (10:45 pm):
Statement from Todd Ishee, NC Secretary of Adult Correction:
Tonight we are mourning the loss of two members of our corrections family.
Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott were both 14-year NC Department of Adult Correction veterans. They were task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Sam Poloche joined our NCDAC Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013 and Alden Elliott followed in 2016, each after serving several years as probation/parole officers. They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities.
Sam leaves behind a wife and two children, and Alden and his wife were parents to one child.
These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state. We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident.
