Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

A new timeline released by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney provides a detailed account of the tragic shootout that claimed the lives of four law enforcement officers in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 29. The investigation cleared the officers who returned fire of any wrongdoing.

**Charlotte, N.C.** - A newly released timeline sheds light on the harrowing events of the shootout that resulted in the deaths of four law enforcement officers in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 29. The timeline, compiled by Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer B. Merriweather III, provides a detailed account of the tragic incident.

At approximately 1 p.m. that afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force arrived at the residence of 39-year-old Terry Hughes Jr. to serve a warrant for a felon in possession of a firearm.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

Hughes, a career criminal with an extensive criminal history, was standing in the threshold of the side door of his home when officers arrived. As the task force members announced their presence, Hughes retreated inside and opened fire with a "Radical Arms RF-15 rifle."

Initial gunfire struck Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr. and North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) Investigator Sam Poloche as they took cover behind a tree in Hughes' backyard. Hughes then moved to fire from an upstairs side window and alternated between firing from the rear and side windows.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

Police Officer Joshua Eyer, the only Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officer on the NCDAC task force, relayed to CMPD dispatch that shots had been fired and officers were down. Eyer had access to a CMPD radio channel that task force members were not monitoring.

Within minutes, hundreds of CMPD officers began to arrive at the scene to assist. Officer Eyer and other officers approached the rear of the home, searching for a safe route to reach the three downed officers.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

At approximately 1:46 p.m., Eyer and other officers went to the treeline where Weeks had been struck by gunfire. Eyer and Poloche were struck by additional shots as they took cover behind a tree. Three other CMPD officers were also shot as they took cover behind the house.

Approximately 20 minutes after the shootout began, Hughes jumped out of a second-story window on the front side of his house while still holding his AR-15. Officers in front of the residence communicated over CMPD radio that Hughes was down, but officers on the side of the residence did not receive the communication.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

At 1:50:42 p.m., while authorities were attempting to reach the injured officers, another officer saw movement in the upstairs side window and shot a single bullet at the window.

Officers discharged cover fire as they evacuated the injured officers. At 1:59 p.m., CMPD officers used an armored utility vehicle to drive to the side fence line and evacuate Investigator Elliott.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

Hughes' girlfriend called 911 at 2:39 p.m. and reported that she was hiding in a closet in the residence with her 17-year-old daughter.

Investigators concluded that Elliott, Poloche, Weeks, and Eyer died from the hospitals they were transported to over the next six hours.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Merriweather cleared the officers who returned fire at Hughes of any wrongdoing, saying "there is no question that the 23 officers who returned fire during this lengthy encounter did so in defense of themselves and of their fellow officers."

The DA's findings were echoed by CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, who praised the deceased officers for their "epitome of bravery" in responding to the deadly attack.

Charlotte Shooting: New Timeline Reveals Officers Killed in Ambush

Redford of the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police noted that many of the officers who responded to the shootout on April 29 were not on duty that day, highlighting their dedication to law enforcement and community safety. The incident remains the deadliest attack on law enforcement in Charlotte's history.