From Tribune staff reports
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A suspect fired on law enforcement officers attempting to serve a fugitive warrant in Charlotte on Monday wounding eight and killing four, according to officials.
The preliminary investigation indicates officers were attempting to serve active felony warrants on a male subject. As officers approached, the male subject discharged his firearm striking multiple officers. These officers requested immediate response from other officers. As officers responded, the gunfire continued, striking additional officers.
Police said eight officers were struck during the gunfire. The officers were rushed to area hospitals. Three task force officers were pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Two of the slain officers, Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, were from the North Carolina Department of Corrections assigned to the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force. A deputy U.S. Marshall killed in the gunfire was not immediately identified.
“One of the injured CMPD Officers, Joshua Eyer, a 6-year veteran, fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries,” officials said.
According to police, the male suspect exited the residence on Galway Drive with a firearm. Law enforcement officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapons striking the suspect in the front yard of the residence.
The CMPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) began negotiations with other occupants in the house. Two females exited the residence and were transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by detectives.
Upon securing the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the residence. The deceased suspect has been identified as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39. Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by felon and felony flee to elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.