Three U.S. Marshals were shot and killed serving a warrant in Charlotte on Monday.
It began around 1:30 p.m. when the U.S. Marshals Task Force went to serve a warrant on a convicted felon believed to be in possession of illegal firearms.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings said the Marshals were met with a barrage of gunfire, which they returned.
The man shooting at the officers was killed in the front yard of a home in the eastern Charlotte neighborhood, but as officers approached him, more shots were fired in their direction from inside a nearby home.
When the shootout ended, a standoff began and lasted for several hours.
At 5 p.m., hours after the first response, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced that the scene was clear, and the people inside the home were being detained for questioning.
During a press conference at 6 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed the details of the shooting. They said in addition to the three killed U.S. Marshals, a fourth was injured. Four Charlotte officers were also shot and injured–one of them remains in critical condition.
Chief Jennings confirmed that the suspect killed in the shootout was the person U.S. Marshals went to serve with a warrant.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper posted on social media that he had offered state resources to assist local law enforcement in any way they may need.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles took to social media to offer her thoughts on the shooting:
“I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred that involved Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and US Marshals today. I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
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