Suspect dead as four officers killed in Charlotte shooting: Live updates

Three US Marshals were killed during a fierce shootout with suspects in Charlotte, North Carolina, that left a further eight law enforcement officers wounded.

The incident erupted after members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) attempted to serve a warrant on an individual for possession of firearm by a convicted felon at a residence near Galway Drive. When the officers approached the individual they were met with gunfire, police chief Johnny Jennings said.

Officers had returned gunfire and struck the victim, who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of the residents. As they approached the individual they were met with additional gunfire from inside of the residence, which the officers returned.

“Tragically, there were three members of the US Marshals Task Force, who were pronounced deceased,” chief Jennings told a press conference on Monday.

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The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, a branch of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, is made up of more than 70 federal, state, or local agencies and has 11 fully operational offices, according to the US Marshals website.

The task force was serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina when Monday’s gunfire erupted, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police Johnny Jennings later confirmed that three US Marshals had been killed during the shootout on Monday.

“Today’s an absolutely tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement. Today we lost some heroes that are out to just simply trying to keep our community safe,” he said, speaking at a press conference.

“This is a good example of what we try to tell people every single day, that when we put on this uniform, that we don’t have any guarantees that will return home… Yet we have a lot of great men and women across this entire country that do it every single day to make sure that you’re safe and your communities.”

Neighbours caught up in the incident in Charlotte on Monday described the situation at “gunfire galore”.

Local resident Tyler Wilson told WBTV officers had streamed into his home, including one who appeared to use his window to operate a sniper rifle.

At one point, Mr Wilson told the outlet, an injured officer had been dragged through his home by his shoulders, though he was able to see the extent of the officer’s injuries.

He described the scene as “gunfire galore,” with officers army-crawling through his backyard, hiding behind trees, and jumping around bushes.

Officers ordered Mr Wilson and two others in the home to hide in a back room as the gunfire was ongoing. The area was later declared safe by police at around 5pm local time.

Gun violence prevention group Brady released a statement in response to the shootings in Charlotte on Monday.

“This is a tragic result of the fact that in America, there are more guns than there are people. These officers were slain on the job with a weapon designed for the battlefield right in the Charlotte community,” said Kris Brown, president of Brady.

“My heart breaks for the families who will now have to bury their loved ones and for those who’ve been injured in such a horrific way. It is not just the people who were shot who will forever carry this pain; mass shootings inflict lasting trauma on entire communities.

“Until we change our nation’s laws, reform the gun industry, and change hearts and minds about what this uniquely American epidemic is doing to our country, we’ll remain locked in an arms race where not even our law enforcement officers can stop the carnage.”

At a press conference on Monday, shortly following the incident Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles, became emotional as she addressed reporters.

“We’ve lost three people. They lost their lives after they gave us the opportunity to be in a safe place, and they lost their lives,” she said.

“These are people that care deeply about what they’ve done for our profession. And now today we have to say to them, how much we are grateful for what they have done.”

Ms Lyles said she had been in touch with the White House following the shooting that killed three US Marshal Task Force members.

“Today I heard from the White House, about the loss of our officers and the situation that we were having to adjust to,” Ms Lyles said.

“As the community reels from this senseless act of violence, thoughts and prayers pour out for the wounded officers and their families,” the page description reads.

“In response to this devastating event, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to provide support for those affected, offering a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of this tragedy.”

The page has set a target of $250,000.