Tragedy in Charlotte: Four Officers Killed in Line of Duty

Four law enforcement officers have been identified as the victims of a deadly shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, leaving their families and communities in mourning.

Charlotte, North Carolina (April 30, 2024) - The four law enforcement officers killed during a shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, have been identified by their respective agencies.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., 48, a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), was among the officers killed, the service confirmed on Tuesday. Weeks, who leaves behind a wife and four children, was assigned to the Western District of North Carolina.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) identified Officer Joshua Eyer as one of the fallen officers. Eyer, who served the department's North Tryon Division for six years, was a member of the 178th Recruit Class. A procession carried his body from the hospital to the medical examiner's office on Monday evening.

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) identified Sam Poloche as one of the task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force who were killed in the shooting. Poloche joined NCDAC's Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013 and is survived by a wife and two children.

NCDAC also identified William "Alden" Elliott as a fallen task force officer. Elliott joined NCDAC in 2016 and is survived by a wife and one child.

The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon when a U.S. Marshals Task Force attempted to serve a warrant for firearm possession by a convicted felon at a residence on Galway Drive in Charlotte. During the operation, a suspect opened fire on the officers, triggering a shootout.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., was killed in the exchange of gunfire. Hughes was also wanted for two counts of felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

In addition to the four fatalities, eight law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting. Three CMPD officers and a U.S. Marshals Task Force officer sustained injuries and are currently recovering.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Charlotte community and the law enforcement community nationwide. Residents expressed their condolences and offered prayers for the victims and their families.

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen officers.

NCDAC issued a statement expressing its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the officers killed in the line of duty.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the families of the fallen officers. The page has raised over $100,000 within hours of being launched.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Two persons of interest, a 17-year-old and a woman, were taken into custody for questioning.