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
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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.
Officers’ body armor could not withstand the AR-15 shots
Chief Jennings said at Tuesday’s press conference that “traditional body armor for police officers cannot withstand a rifle round.”
An AR-15 rifle and a 40-calibre handgun were recovered from the house.
He added that “officers were at a disadvantage because the individual” was at an elevated level.
WATCH: 4 officers killed in Charlotte, 8 shot: The latest
Who was Terry Clark Hughes Jr?
Hughes was fatally shot by police after he allegedly opened fire on a group of law enfrocement officers who were attempting to serve him active warrants at his home on Monday, April 29.
The 39-year-old was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina, police wrote.
He was 5 ft 9in tall and weighed 180 pounds, according to his arrest records.
Hughes had an extensive criminal history, most of which pertained to drug crimes.
At a Tuesday press conference, when asked about whether Hughes should have been on the streets, given his criminal record, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said: “I know this individual did serve a significant amount of time in jail and had been released, but I can give you hundreds of examples of people that I feel like should not be out preying upon his citizens…Our system is not completely where it needs to be.”
GoFundMe page surpasses $40,000
A GoFundMe campaign was launched after eight officers were caught in a devastating incident on Monday.
Four were killed and four others were injured.
The fundraiser aims to “provide support for those affected, offering a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of this tragedy.” Less than a day after the tragedy, it has earned more than $43,000.
“As the community reels from this senseless act of violence, thoughts and prayers pour out for the wounded officers and their families,” the fundraiser says.
“As the investigation unfolds and the names of the fallen are confirmed, the community stands together in solidarity, determined to honor the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.”
What we know about the two others inside the home
“Two females that were inside the residence were brought in to be interviewed by detectives,” CMPD wrote on X.
Chief Jennings said at Tuesday’s press conference that one was 17 years old and the other was “a little older.” He declined to comment on their relationship to Terry Clark Hughes Jr, who was fatally shot yesterday.
The police chief said authorities weren’t ruling out possibility of arrest, but confirmed they have not been charged with any crime.
He also said that there is a possibility that there was a “second shooter” in the home.
That theory seems to have emerged because Hughes was shooting from upstairs, but shots were fired “down at the officers both front and back,” potentially indicating that there was more than one shooter.
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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.
Who are the injured officers?
- 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