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Three officers, including a deputy U.S. marshal and two local task force officers, were killed in a shooting while trying to serve a warrant at a home in Charlotte, North Carolina, authorities said.
A total of eight law enforcement officers were shot during the incident, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a news conference Monday evening.
Members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force were serving a warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon when the shooting happened in the 5000 block of Galway Drive, Jennings said.
Officers were met with gunfire from a “high-powered firearm” and returned fire, fatally shooting a suspect in the home's front yard. Jennings said U.S. Marshals are serving a warrant for the suspect.
“As officers approached, they received additional shots fired from inside the residence,” the police chief said.
Three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force were killed, Jennings said. In a statement to CNN, the US Marshals Service confirmed that one of the dead was a Deputy US Marshal.
Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were also shot, including one in critical condition “fighting for his life” at the hospital, the police chief said. Other officers are in stable condition.
The Chief Minister did not mention their names as the officials are in the process of informing their families.
Two “persons of interest” are being questioned by police, Jennings said. When officers cleared the residence, a 17-year-old boy and a girl came out, Jennings said, but it could not be confirmed whether either of the two were suspects.
“We are very early in the investigation,” he added. “The CMPD will lead this investigation, and we have a lot more to discover, and many more unanswered questions right now.”
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The chief described the shooting as “one of the saddest” in his 32 years in law enforcement. “Historically, I can't imagine anything worse in the Charlotte area than what we're seeing today,” he said.
Authorities cleared the site Monday afternoon, telling residents they no longer needed shelter In a post on X.
“Numerous law enforcement officers were struck by gunfire during an active situation,” the department said Said earlier in X.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper “remains in Charlotte and continues to receive briefings on the situation,” his office told CNN, and is expected to speak with victims' families and officials later Monday.
President Joe Biden met with the governor after the shooting, the White House said in a statement Monday. Senior administration officials are also in contact with local officials, the White House said.
“I am deeply saddened by today's shooting involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and U.S. Marshals,” Charlotte Mayor V Lyles said in a statement.
“I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Lyles said.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
