New details released in east Charlotte shootout that left 4 officers dead, 4 injured

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials released new details in the deadly shooting that left four officers dead and another four injured Monday afternoon.

The shootout started after members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tried to serve felony warrants for Terry Clark Hughes Jr. at a home on Galway Drive. At the time, Hughes had warrants out from Lincoln County for possession of a firearm by felon and felony flee to elude (two counts).

As task force members approached, Hughes began to shoot and hit multiple officers, police said.

Officers returned fire, striking and killing Hughes.

At first, officers said a second person began firing from within the home. In Tuesday’s press conference, officials said they were investigating whether or not a second shooter was at the scene.

Police said SWAT then started to negotiate with the other people inside the home. Two females -- one adult and one 17-year-old -- were taken into custody for questioning.

[’We lost heroes.’ CMPD officer, 3 US Marshal task force officers killed in E CLT shootout; 4 hurt]

Eight officers were hit in total; four members of the task force (made up of officers from 16 agencies) and four CMPD officers.

“Yesterday, eight families had to be told that their loved one had been shot in the line of duty. It was news that they hoped would never come,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said during Tuesday’s press conference.

Of the four law enforcement officers hurt, three died: William “Alden” Elliott, Samuel “Sam” Poloche, Thomas Weeks Jr., and Joshua Eyer.

Poloche and Elliott were NC Department of Adult Correction veterans, Eyer served with CMPD, and Weeks was a Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Two of the officers who were shot -- Michael Giglio and Jack Blowers -- have been released and the third -- Christopher Tolley -- underwent surgery Monday but is in stable condition.

Statesville Police announced that one of the four other officers injured was among their own, Cpl. Casey Hoover, a U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force member. Hoover was shot in his upper torso but is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.

Officer Justin Campbell was treated for a broken foot.

[Flags flying at half-staff, Charlotte skyline lit blue in honor of 4 officers killed]

More than 100 shell casings will be collected, according to CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. At the scene, officers recovered an AR-15 and 40-caliber handgun, along with additional magazines for both guns.

Officers said they are not looking at any additional suspects.

According to Jennings, 12 CMPD officers fired their service weapons and are on administrative leave while an investigation is underway, which is standard procedure.

“We will certainly get through this,” Jennings said. “But it will take time.”

More details will be released as they become available, including funeral arrangements for the fallen officers.

For those looking for information on how to donate to the families of the four fallen officers or to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation you can click here.

Contributions will be directed either to the family or as specified. Please indicate in the PayPal comment section how you would like your donations to be allocated.

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer
• Department of Adult Corrections Officer Sam Poloche
• Department of Adult Corrections Officer William Elliott
• Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks
• To the law enforcement agencies for Wellness Resources

For those wishing to send personal gifts, cards, or item donations, they can be delivered or mailed to 601 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC, with attention to CMPD Human Resources. Rest assured, all items received will be promptly delivered to the families in need. For any inquiries, please reach out to CMPD HRD at 704.336.5320

You can watch the full press conference here:

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