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.
In photos: the aftermath of the Charlotte shooting
GoFundMe for Officer Joshua Eyer tops $40,000
A GoFundMe page to “support the family of Officer Eyer” has raised more than $46,000.
Eyer, who served for six years in CMPD’s North Tryon Division for six years, is survived by his wife and three-year-old son, the fundraiser says: “Every dollar of this GoFundMe will go to them.”
“CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer has passed away from his injuries after being shot in the line of duty while assisting other officers with the apprehension of a suspect,” the page says.
“We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. His life and service will never be forgotten. Please say a prayer for Officer Eyer’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
Who was the suspect?
Hughes was 39 years old, five-foot-nine, and 180 pounds. Officers had been attempting to serve felony warrants on him on Monday.
North Carolina criminal records show he has an extensive rap sheet with many drug-related charges.
Hughes also faced charges of aggravated assault against a female in 2010; multiple counts of possession of firearm by felon; multiple counts of fleeing to elude arrest; reckless driving to endanger as well as communicating threats — a charge brought by his father.
Hughes was previously convicted of weapon law violations and breaking and entering.
When asked on Tuesday whether someone like Hughes should have been allowed to be on the streets, Chief Jennings said that he had spent “a significant amount of time in jail and had been released.”
That being said, the chief added: “I can give you hundreds of examples of people that I feel like should not be out praying upon his citizens…our system is not completely where it needs to be.”
Hughes had a 20-year rap sheet including drug, assault and weapons charges
Prior to the fierce shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina – in which four law enforcement officers were killed and several others wounded – police had been attempting to serve felony warrants on 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr.
Hughes – who also died in the shootout – had been arrested dozens of times, with almost 50 cases listed online, including charges relating to drug manufacture, firearm possession and aggravated assault.
The charges against him stretch back over 20 years and across multiple counties in North Carolina, with one listed against him as far back as 2001 over communicating threats — against his own father, Terry Clark Hughes Sr.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CPMD) chief Johnny Jennings said that Hughes Jr had previously spent a “significant amount of time” behind bars.
CPMD said that at the time of Monday’s incident, Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by felon and felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
Read the full story...
Charlotte shooting suspect had a 20-year rap sheet
Terry Clark Hughes Jr was killed in a shootout with police in Charlotte on Monday, which also claimed the lives of four law enforcement officers
WATCH: North Carolina shootout which killed four police officers filmed by neighbour hiding in home
GoFundMe Page for families of injured and killed officers surpasses $100k
As of Wednesday morning, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $100,000, which has vowed to “provide support for those affected, offering a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of this tragedy.”
“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,” it continued.
You can find find the fundraiser here.
Officials mourn loss of four law enforcement officers
At Tuesday’s press conference, one day after the shooting in Charlotte took four officers’ lives and left four others injured, a series of agency and government officials spoke, giving tribute to the fallen officers.
“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.
Attorney General Josh Stein called it an “exceptionally trying time”.
Speaking of the slain officers, he said, “We mourn their ultimate sacrifice.”
Mayor Vi Lyles commended law enforcement officers’ “willingness to stand where others will not.”
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
White House mourns ‘heroes’ lost in Charlotte shooting
Earlier today, four brave law enforcement officers – including a Deputy U.S. Marshal – were killed in the line of duty. They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us. We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded. When a law enforcement officer puts on that shield in the morning and heads out the door, their family members dread the phone call – the very call that came today. It’s like losing a piece of your soul. To the families of those we lost: Jill and I, and all Americans, are here for you. And we will always be here for you. We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers. That means funding them – so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. And it means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now. Leaders in Congress need to step up so that we ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, and pass universal background checks and a national red flag law. Enough is enough. May God Bless these fallen heroes.
ICYMI: What happened during Monday’s shooting?
Law enforcement officers arrived at a home in the 5000 block of Galway Drive around 1.30pm on 29 April to serve a warrant when all hell broke loose, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a Tuesday press conference.
The US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, composed of officers from 16 agencies across the state, were serving a 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal record.
Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by felon, and felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
When officers approached the home, shots were fired from an “elevated level” inside, the police chief said. The shooter was “ambushing” officers, making it hard for law enforcement officials to take cover, he added.
At some point, Hughes Jr exited his home, armed with a firearm. The officers “perceived an imminent deadly threat” and fired at Hughes in his front yard, killing him.
In total, eight officers were hit by gunshots.
Four were killed and four others have survived their injuries. Three of the fallen officers were members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force while one was a CMPD officer.
Read the full story....
Everything we know about the Charlotte shooting
‘North Carolina lost four heroes and saw four other heroes wounded,’ state governor said