Topline
Three law enforcement officers were killed—and five more were injured—in Charlotte, North Carolina, while trying to serve a warrant, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Monday.
Key Facts
The three deceased officers were members of a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force who were met with gunfire while trying to serve a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at an east Charlotte home, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said at a press conference.
Of the other five officers shot—one member of the U.S. Marshal task force and 4 local officers—one is in critical condition and the others are stable, police said.
One suspect was found dead at the scene after police returned fire and shot the person, and two other people were inside the home where officers were trying to serve the warrant, according to Jennings.
After the original suspect was shot and police approached the body, Jennings said they were met with more gunfire—but he would not say which of the two people in custody, if either, were suspects for that.
CMPD asked people to avoid the area at about 2:15 p.m. EDT.
Just before 4 p.m. EDT, officials said the residence was clear and the area was safe, but law enforcement agencies would be investigating at the scene so some roadways could remain closed.
What We Don’t Know
The identity of the suspect or two other people in the home. Jennings said the two people taken from the home after the shooting were being questioned.
Crucial Quote
“They knew that they had officers that needed help, that needed to be extracted from that location, yet they went in—some getting shot themselves as a result,” Jennings said in the press conference. “The bravery, the heroism, everything that … defines what our profession is, our people demonstrated that today and I couldn’t be more proud of the response.”
