The day after four law enforcement officers died in the line of duty serving a warrant in Charlotte, more details are released Tuesday as officials piece together a timeline of the mass shooting.
Officials also revealed the identities of the U.S. Marshal, two officers with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who were fatally shot on Monday.
Three of the other Charlotte officers injured in the shootout have been released from the hospital. The fourth is in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene after the gunfire with officers ensued. Two other females found inside the home were taken into custody, but they have not been charged and are cooperating with the investigation.
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1:30 p.m. Monday — Suspect Opens Fire on Approaching Officers
The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which consists of officers from multiple agencies, were conducting an investigation at a home in the North Tryon Division at around 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) press release. The officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant for Hughes.
As officers approached, Hughes opened fire, police said. Several officials were struck. Hughes also shot other officers attempting to respond to the initial gunfire.
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2:23 p.m. — SWAT Team Responds, Residents Told to Avoid Area
The CMPD SWAT Team responded to the scene of the shooting by 2:23 p.m., according to an X post from the police department. Residents were advised to avoid the area. Hundreds of police vehicles flooded the area as the gun battle unfolded.
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2:55 p.m. — Police Announce Road Closures As Victims Are Taken to Hospitals
Police notified the public that major roads in the area would be shut down to expedite the transport of victims to local hospitals.
Eight officers were taken to area hospitals. North Carolina Department of Adult Correction officers Samuel Poloche and William Alden Elliot, as well as Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed Weeks’ death in a statement.
“Thomas M. Weeks Jr., 48, of Mooresville, North Carolina, died in the line of duty at approximately 1:30 p.m. April 29 when the suspect opened fire on the group of law enforcement officers, killing Weeks and three others,” the statement said.
Weeks was a 13-year veteran and served the Western District of North Carolina for 10 years.
A fourth officer, 6-year veteran Joshua Eyer, died of his injuries several hours later. He was a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
4:46 p.m. — SWAT Works to Clear Residence
The SWAT team was working to clear the residence at 4:46 p.m., police said in an X post. Residents were told that there was still a heavy police presence in the area.
4:56 p.m. — Area Deemed Safe by Police
“The residence on Galway Drive is now clear, and the area is safe. Residents no longer need to shelter in place,” CMPD wrote on X at 4:56 p.m.
Police announced Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. Hughes was wanted on one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude in Lincoln County.
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5:40 p.m. — Police Hold Press Briefing
Law enforcement officials and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles disclosed more details of the massacre at a press briefing Monday night.
Police Chief Johnny Jennings confirmed the suspect was found dead in the front lawn after law enforcement officials returned gunfire.
Two individuals were found inside of the home. Both were taken to the police station for questioning, Jennings said.
“We’re trying to determine now what exactly occurred inside of the residence,” Jennings said.
Lyles asked the community to honor the victims and vowed to make the city safer.
“The most that I can ask of our community is that we honor and respect them for all the work that they’ve done, all the work that we will do to make it possible for our city to be safer,” Lyles said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
11 a.m. Tuesday — Law Enforcement Gives Update
Chief Jennings and other officials held another press briefing on Tuesday to provide updates on the investigation.
“This is a scar on Charlotte,” Jennings said. “We will get through this.”
Officers Christopher Tolley, Michael Giglio and Jack Blowers were treated for gunshot wounds, Jennings said. Justin Campell was treated for a broken foot. Tolley remains in the hospital in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
An AR-15 rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and additional ammunition and magazines were recovered from the scene.
The two individuals found inside the residence are cooperating with the investigation, Jennings said.
Twelve CMPD officers fired their service weapons during the shooting. All twelve officers were placed on administrative leave as police conduct an internal investigation.
Jennings said officials are still investigating the gunfire coming from multiple locations on the second floor of the residence and if there is a possible second shooter.
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