NORTH CAROLINA, USA: Four US law enforcement officials lost their lives and four others sustained injuries during a shootout in North Carolina while executing a warrant at a residence, officials confirmed.
According to a statement from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), the wanted individual, later found deceased on the property, opened fire on officers as they attempted to carry out the warrant. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, a deputy US marshal and two task force officers tragically lost their lives.
The CMPD provided updates on social media, revealing that five other officers were wounded, with one in critical condition. Tragically, one of the injured officers succumbed to their injuries, as announced by CMPD in a subsequent post.
Johnny Jennings, CMPD’s chief of police, informed reporters that officers encountered gunfire while serving the warrant on a convicted felon wanted for firearms possession. Despite returning fire and neutralizing one individual, they faced additional shots from within the residence.
In a preliminary investigation, CMPD revealed that the suspect discharged his firearm, injuring multiple officers. Responding to the threat, officers returned fire, resulting in the suspect’s demise.
After a tense standoff, officers secured the property and discovered a 17-year-old and a woman inside, both taken into custody as persons of interest.
Expressing profound sorrow, US Attorney General Merrick Garland conveyed the Justice Department’s grief over the loss of their law enforcement colleagues.
President Joe Biden, briefed on the incident, extended his condolences and pledged support for the affected community, underscoring the gravity of the tragedy that befell Charlotte and the law enforcement fraternity.
