Three members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were shot and killed, and five additional law enforcement officials were shot while they were serving a search warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Chief Johnny Jennings told reporters Monday.
At the time of the shooting, the U.S. Marshals Task Force was serving a warrant in an investigation “when they were engaged by active gunfire from a subject,” police said Monday. Jennings said it was a “high-powered rifle” that was used to shoot and kill officers.
Officers had suspected an individual of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, police said.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was also killed in the standoff.
The three deceased officers served with the U.S. Marshals Task Force — one of them, authorities said, was a deputy marshal. One of the injured officers is a member of the task force, and the other four work for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Jennings said in a press conference Monday evening. One of the officers is in critical condition, he said.
Just before 5 p.m., about three hours after police said there had been a shooting, police said, “at least one shooting suspect was located deceased at the residence after clearing the scene.”
Police are questioning two other people who lived in the home as persons of interest, Jennings said. One of them was a juvenile.
“The bravery of our officers that responded to the scene, knowing that they’re going into gunfire is what I’ve been saying for many years, is in the face of danger. our people step up,” Jennings said.
Police previously described the incident as an “active situation” and said a SWAT team was on scene. A shelter-in-place order was lifted after the house was cleared, police said.
In a statement on social media, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he was in touch with police about the shooting and has offered up state resources to help.
An emotional Mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles, said she heard from the White House, members of Congress and state officials offering their support.
“Your father, your husband, your friend, your neighbor … and today they’re not going home,” she said. “You know three people lost their lives today.”
Jennings said that in his 30-plus years in the department, he couldn’t remember a day like this.
“To me, it’s the most tragic one that I’ve been involved in,” he said.
Stephen Kringe is getting a HARDON over this for some reasons!
How tragic. My condolences to all of the families and friends of these fine police officers.