Three law enforcement officers were killed, and five others were wounded Monday afternoon while trying to serve an arrest warrant un-Charlotte, N.C., according to local police.
The officers, with the U.S. Marshals Task Force were trying to serve a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon when the shootout occurred, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said Monday.
Jennings said the task force, which includes officers from different agencies, tried to approach the individual and were met with gunfire. Officers returned fire, shooting and killing the suspect in the front yard of the home.
One of the five officers struck is in critical condition, Jennings added.
Another person fired at officers from inside of the home, where officers later found a high-powered rifle, police said.
Numerous victims were being transported to the hospital and the department’s SWAT Team responded to the scene, according to police.
The residence was cleared shortly before 5 p.m. and residents were told they no longer needed to shelter in place.
Two additional people were found inside of the home and brought to the police station as persons of interest, Jennings said.
The department on Monday night also warned that there will be major roads shut down “to expedite victim transport.”
“Please remain patient and cooperate with officers,” police wrote on X.
“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said.
“A lot of the questions that need to be answered, we don’t even know what those questions are now,” he added later. “We have to get a full understanding of why this occurred and also uphold the integrity of the investigation.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said he has been in touch with law enforcement about the shooting.
“I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help,” he wrote on X.
Miranda Nazzaro contributed.
Updated at 7:31 pm.