Charlotte shooting: President Biden plans to visit family members of slain officers
Officers were shot at as they served a fugitive arrest warrant to Terry Clark Hughes Jr at a house in North Carolina
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
New details have emerged around a police encounter with the suspect —months before the shoot-out in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday that left four law enforcement officers dead.
Back in January, Terry Clark Hughes Jr, 39, led officers on a high-speed chase, according to Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam. One of his officers tried to pull over Hughes. But rather than slowing down, he “took off,” the sheriff told WCNC.
The car chase was ultimately called off when a police officer noticed the Hughes’ vehicle was registered to a woman.
Four months later, Hughes opened fire on officers as they approached his home on April 29 trying to serve him warrants. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by felon and felony flee to elude.
Hughes was fatally shot during the exchange.
Two other people later found in the home where Hughes was firing from “are fully cooperating” with the investigation and are not considered suspects, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said.
Four officers were killed in the tragedy: North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, Deputy US Marshal Thomas Weeks and CMPD officer Joshua Eyer.
Of the four officers injured, three have been discharged from the hospital while the fourth is in stable condition.
‘Officer of the Month'
Last week, on April 22, Joshua Eyer, a slain CMPD officer and veteran, was honored on CMPD’s Facebook page as Officer of the Month for the North Tryon Division.
After the tragedy on Monday, CMPD wrote a tribute: “Officer Joshua Eyer has passed away tonight from his injuries after being shot in the line of duty this afternoon while assisting other officers with the apprehension of a suspect.”
“Officer Eyer faithfully served the CMPD’s North Tryon Division for six years and was a member of the 178th Recruit Class. We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice,” the police wrote.
“His life and service will never be forgotten. Please say a prayer for Officer Eyer’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
What we know about the ‘second’ shooter
After a number of officers were struck by gunfire, another round of officers flocked to the scene.
That’s when a second shooter began firing on them from inside the residence after they killed Terry Clark Hughes Jr, to whom the police were attempting to serve warrants, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said on Monday.
That person has still not been named. The relationship between Hughes and the second person is not immediately clear.
Police declined to share identifying details about the second individual with The Independent.
A reporter for WSOC-TV reported that two people were taken to CMPD HQ earlier this evening for questioning. This has not been independently verified by The Independent.
Rap Sheet: Terry Clark Hughes Jr
Officers had been attempting to serve felony warrants on Hughes, the 39-year-old gunman identified in the Charlotte shooting.
CMPD said the five-foot-nine man was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
Criminal records in the state show he has an extensive rap sheet, many of which are drug-related charges.
On April 24, he failed to appear in court related to charges of possession of firearm by felon and marijuana possession.
In 2021, Hughes was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, and having knowingly maintained or kept a shop, residence, building, or some other place that is being unlawfully used for the purpose of selling, keeping, or using a controlled substance.
That same year, he was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest.
Back in 2012, he also faced possession of firearm by felon, eluding arrest with two aggravating factors, reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked,
In 2011, he was also faced the charge of possessing firearm by felon.
Back in 2009, he was charged with breaking and/or entering and possessing a stolen firearm.
Three years prior, he was twice charged with carrying a concealed gun, while as early as 2001, he was charged with communicating threats — against his father.
Injured officers named
CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings revealed the names of the four officers who were injured.
- Chris Tolley, a CMPD officer, underwent surgery and is now in stable condidtion
- Mike Giglio, a CMPD officer, suffered gunshot wound injuries and was released yesterday
- Jack Blowers, a CMPD officer, suffered gunshot wound injuries and was released yesterday
- Joshua Campbell, a CMPD officer, who not shot but suffered a broken foot and was discharged this morning
Update on the shooting
Chief Jennings said there were “well over 500 rounds of projectiles and casings” in the residence where the shooting transpired.
Police also recovered an AR 15 rifle and a 40-calibre handgun, as well as additional magazines and ammunition for both firearms.
Mr Jennings confirmed that the person who was shot and killed — Terry Clark Hughes Jr — was the individual who law enforcement officers were trying to serve with a warrant.
He added that two women inside the residence “are fully cooperating with the investigation” and we are “not looking or interested in any additional suspects or any persons of interest.”
Fourth slain officer identified
Deputy US Marshal Thomas Weeks was named as the fourth slain officer. He was a member of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which is made up of 16 agencies in the state.
At a Tuesday press conference, Director of US Marshal Service Ron Davis called the slain US Marshal a “hero.”
He said Weeks was 48 years old, and leaves behind his wife and four children.
North Carolina Governor makes remarks at press conference
“North Carolina lost four heroes and saw four other heroes wounded,” Gov Roy Cooper said.
“We are grateful for their bravery and courage,” he said of the fallen officers.
He promised to continue to provide state resources in the aftermath of the tragedy.
WATCH: Mayor Vi Lyles addresses media regarding deadly shooting in east Charlotte
The second shooter theory revisited
At Tuesday’s press conference, CMPD Chief Jennings addressed the possibility of a second shooter at the residence where Terry Clark Hughes, Jr was fatally shot as law enforcement officers were trying to serve him a warrant.
Mr Jennings said he was “not ruling out the possibility that someone else was firing as well.”
As the officers approached the house, Hughes was shooting from upstairs “down at the officers both front and back,” which officers thought and was an indication that there was more than one shooter.
He noted that two others — one girl, 17, and another woman who was “a little older” — were also in the home “voluntarily.” While he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of arrest, the chief confirmed the pair have not been charged with any crime.
There was no indication that “anyone had succumb” as a result of friendly fire, the police chief said.