Some of the officers who came to rescue the first group of slain officers were wounded when a second shooter opened fire on them after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.
“Today we lost several heroes who were simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said at a news conference.
After three hours, the suburban Charlotte home was demolished. Armored vehicles crashed into it, tearing out windows and doors. Several armored vehicles were seen in the yard, some with tree branches hanging from them.
The US Marshals Response Force fired at the suspect as he approached the home, and the man was killed in the yard, Jennings said. His name was not released, but the commander said he was suspected of illegally possessing a weapon.
A second person then fired at officers inside the home, where a rifle was found, Jennings added.
A girl and a boy, both aged 17, were found in the house after the confrontation.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that one of its agents was killed. Two officers from the Department of Adult Corrections were also killed, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. Their names have not been released.
https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/1785021547343679754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer died hours later at a hospital, Jennings said. Eyer had been named Officer of the Month a few weeks earlier. “He gave his life and dedicated his life to protect his citizens,” Jennings said.
Another member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other officers from the region, was injured. Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who were at the scene were shot while trying to rescue the injured officers. Neighbors said the exchange of gunfire lasted several minutes.
President Joe Biden was informed of the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community. “They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” Biden said in a statement Monday night. “We cry for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recovery of the brave officers who were injured.”
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