By Roxana Navarro
Apr 30, 2024, 10:27 PM EDT
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shared its feelings after confirming the death of four officers during a shooting that occurred on Monday, April 29, when they were trying to serve a court order. Three deputies were pronounced dead at the scene, while one officer was taken to the hospital where he died hours later.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said eight officers were shot by a person inside a home in the 5000 block of Galway Drive on April 29 around 5:00 p.m. local.
“The last few hours have been moving”
“Today is a very difficult day for the police community in our city. The last 24 hours have been truly moving for everyone,” the police wrote on social media.
Three members of the U.S. Marshals Service were killed during the shootout and five police officers were hit by bullets. One of the officers died hours after being treated by doctors.
This Tuesday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified the four victims:
- William Elliot, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
- Samuel Poloche, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
- Joshua Eyer, veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Thomas Weeks, Marshal assigned to the Fugitive Task Force
“We are leaning on our law enforcement family and our community to deal with this tragedy yesterday.”
The officer is transported in a caravan
Joshua Eyer was part of the Department, after receiving gunshot wounds he was immediately taken to the hospital, but as time went by the doctors could not do anything and he died. Joshua’s body was taken to the coroner’s office, while his companions went in a procession.
“Thank you for the enormous support of all our sister local, state and federal police agencies and our firefighters who also helped us by facilitating the closure of streets for this sad transport,” they shared in a post.
The four CMPD officers who were injured are still in the hospital; authorities did not report their condition.
“The heroic performance of all of these officers during this terrible incident is a reminder of the dangers our law enforcement professionals face every day.”
The shooting was east of Charlotte
The events occurred when the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which is made up of officers from multiple agencies, were attempting to serve a warrant in the 5000 block of Galway Drive, east of Charlotte.
The location was described by officers as a residential area, near Julian Underwood Park. When the agents approached the home, a person began shooting at them from a house. Authorities and some media outlets said the suspect was killed.
“Our prayers will be with the family of Officer Eyers and with the families of the other 3 federal officers who lost their lives in the line of duty,” they added.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper wrote a message on his X account on Monday to say he was aware of the shooting.
“I am in contact with authorities regarding the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area and we have offered state resources to assist.”
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