3 US Marshals killed, 5 officers hurt in E CLT shooting

Queen City News
29 Apr 202405:14

Summary

TLDRA tragic incident unfolded in Charlotte, resulting in the loss of three U.S. Marshals and the injury of five law enforcement officers, including one from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) in critical condition. The violence began when Marshals attempted to serve a warrant on a convicted felon with a firearm, leading to a firefight and a prolonged standoff. Two additional people, a female and a juvenile, were found inside the home and are now being questioned. The community is in shock, with Mayor Vi Lyles expressing deep sorrow and urging support for the affected families. The Governor has pledged assistance, and an investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the incident and the identities of those involved.

Takeaways

  • 🚨 A tragic incident occurred in Charlotte, where 8 law enforcement officers were shot, resulting in the death of 3 U.S. Marshals and leaving 1 CMPD officer in critical condition.
  • 🔍 The situation unfolded when U.S. Marshals attempted to serve a warrant on a convicted felon with a firearm, leading to a shootout at the suspect's residence.
  • ⏱️ The initial confrontation happened around 1:30 PM, escalating into a standoff that involved high-powered rifle fire.
  • 👮‍♂️ Among the injured, 4 were U.S. Marshals, and 4 were CMPD officers, highlighting the severity of the attack on law enforcement.
  • 🏠 Two additional people, a female and a juvenile, were found inside the house and are currently undergoing questioning.
  • 📍 The incident took place at a specific house where the convicted felon, who was the subject of the warrant, resided.
  • 🌟 Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed deep emotion and called for community support in the wake of the incident.
  • 📢 Chief Johnny Jennings, with 32 years of experience, stated this was the worst situation he had encountered, emphasizing the unpredictability of such events.
  • 🏥 The community is rallying support for the affected families, with hospitals treating the injured and notifications being made to the next of kin.
  • 🚩 Flags are at half-staff in uptown Charlotte, and flowers are being placed outside the Marshal's Office as a sign of mourning.
  • ❓ There are still many questions to be answered, including the exact roles of the individuals inside the house and the circumstances that led to the gunfire.

Q & A

  • What was the primary reason for the law enforcement officers being at the house?

    -The primary reason was that U.S. Marshals were serving a warrant on a convicted felon who was a fugitive.

  • How many law enforcement officers were shot during the incident?

    -Eight law enforcement officers were shot.

  • What was the fatality count among the U.S. Marshals?

    -Three U.S. Marshals were killed in the incident.

  • Which officer is currently in critical condition?

    -One of the CMPD (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department) officers is in critical condition.

  • What was the timeline of the event according to Chief Johnny Jennings?

    -The event unfolded around 1:30 PM when the Marshals approached the door and were met with gunfire.

  • What type of weapon was used by the shooter?

    -The shooter used a high-powered rifle.

  • Were there any other individuals in the house at the time of the incident?

    -Yes, there was one female and one juvenile inside the house who are now undergoing questioning.

  • How many people in total were involved in firing at the officers?

    -Three people in total were involved in firing at the officers.

  • What support did Governor Roy Cooper offer to the city of Charlotte?

    -Governor Roy Cooper offered support by stating, 'Whatever you need, we're here to help you.'

  • What was the emotional response of Mayor Vi Lyles to the incident?

    -Mayor Vi Lyles showed a heavy-hearted emotional response, emphasizing the personal impact on the families of the officers.

  • What is the current status of the investigation?

    -The investigation is ongoing, with details being carefully protected to maintain the integrity of the case.

  • What was the last time CMPD officers were shot and killed before this incident?

    -The last time CMPD officers were shot and killed was in 2007, involving officers Sean Clark and Jeffrey Shelton.

Outlines

00:00

📍 Police Chief's Statement on Law Enforcement Shooting

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings provided details on a tragic incident involving law enforcement officers. Eight officers were shot, including three U.S. Marshals who were killed. The situation unfolded when U.S. Marshals attempted to serve a warrant on a convicted felon with a firearm. Gunfire was exchanged, leading to a standoff. Two additional people in the house, a female and a juvenile, are being questioned. The incident resulted in the death of the shooter on the front lawn and left one CMPD officer in critical condition. The community is urged to offer support, and the Governor has pledged assistance. The identities of the deceased U.S. Marshals are being withheld as families are notified.

05:02

🕊️ Mayor Vi Lyles Mourns the Fallen Officers

Mayor Vi Lyles addressed the community following the shooting, urging everyone to remember the fallen officers as fathers, husbands, friends, and neighbors. The city is in mourning, and the Mayor's words serve as a reminder of the personal impact of the tragedy on the families and the community at large.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Charlotte Mecklenburg Police

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police refers to the law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. In the script, they are central to the unfolding events, with their Chief, Johnny Jennings, providing details about the incident.

💡Law Enforcement Officers

Law enforcement officers are individuals who work for the police or other agencies to enforce laws and maintain public safety. The script mentions that eight law enforcement officers were shot, highlighting the dangerous nature of their profession and the severity of the incident.

💡U.S. Marshals

U.S. Marshals are federal law enforcement officers who work for the United States District Courts. They serve as the enforcement arm for the federal courts and have a wide range of responsibilities. In the context of the script, three U.S. Marshals were killed, emphasizing the tragic outcome of the situation.

💡Shooting

A shooting is the act of discharging a firearm. The script describes a violent incident where gunfire was exchanged, leading to the injury and death of several law enforcement officers, which is the central event being discussed.

💡Warrant

A warrant is a legal order, typically issued by a court, that authorizes law enforcement to make an arrest, conduct a search, or in this case, apprehend a fugitive. The script reveals that the U.S. Marshals were serving a warrant on a convicted felon, which initiated the sequence of events.

💡Standoff

A standoff is a tense situation where law enforcement and a suspect confront each other, often with the potential for violence. The script describes a long standoff situation, indicating an extended period of heightened tension and danger.

💡High-Powered Rifle

A high-powered rifle refers to a firearm with greater muzzle energy and longer range than typical handguns. In the script, the mention of a high-powered rifle being used in the incident underscores the level of threat faced by the officers.

💡Fugitive

A fugitive is a person who has escaped from custody or is on the run from the law. The script discusses a fugitive being the subject of the U.S. Marshals' operation, which led to the tragic shooting.

💡Critical Condition

Critical condition is a medical term used to describe a patient who is in a life-threatening situation and requires intensive care. The script mentions an officer being in critical condition, indicating the seriousness of the injuries sustained.

💡Notification of Families

Notification of families is the process of informing relatives of a significant event, such as the death or serious injury of a loved one. The script mentions the difficult task of notifying families of the deceased U.S. Marshals, highlighting the personal impact of the incident.

💡Flags at Half-Staff

Flags at half-staff is a flag display protocol where the flag is flown at half the height of the pole to indicate mourning or a sign of distress. The script notes that flags were lowered in the city as a sign of respect and mourning for the fallen officers.

Highlights

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings provided details of a tragic incident involving law enforcement officers.

Eight law enforcement officers were shot during the incident.

Among the officers, three U.S. Marshals were killed, and one is in critical condition.

The situation unfolded at a house while U.S. Marshals were serving a warrant on a convicted felon.

Gunfire was exchanged in the front yard after the Marshals were met with gunfire upon approaching the door.

A long standoff occurred, involving high-powered rifles.

Two additional people inside the home, a female and a juvenile, are being questioned.

The incident is described as incredibly tragic, with four people in the hospital and three families notified of their loved ones' deaths.

Chief Johnny Jennings emphasized the risks law enforcement officers take when putting on their uniform.

Governor Roy Cooper has offered support and resources to the city of Charlotte.

Flags are at half-staff in uptown Charlotte, and flowers are being placed outside the Marshal's Office.

The Marshals were serving a warrant on a person who had a firearm, highlighting the danger they face.

One suspect is in custody, and the shooter was killed on the front lawn by U.S. Marshals and CMPD.

This is the first time in 32 years that Chief Jennings has seen an incident of this magnitude.

Details of the case are being carefully protected to maintain its integrity.

There are questions about whether the two additional people in the house were hostages or present coincidentally.

The last time CMPD officers were shot and killed was in 2007.

Mayor Vi Lyles reminds the community that the officers were also fathers, husbands, friends, and neighbors.

Transcripts

00:03

ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE

00:04

HAVE AS WE GET. THANK YOU.

00:05

AND YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING

00:05

TO CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG POLICE

00:09

CHIEF JOHNNY JENNINGS AND ALSO

00:12

DETAILS OF WHAT UNFOLDED TODAY.

00:14

WAY WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAVE

00:15

KNOWN. AND WE UNDERSTAND NOW

00:15

THAT 8 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

00:19

HAVE BEEN SHOT. 3 U.S. MARSHALS

00:21

ARE DEAD. ONE ALSO SHOT THERE.

00:22

AND IN FOR CMPD OFFICERS HAVE

00:24

BEEN SHOT. ONE OF THEM IN

00:25

CRITICAL CONDITION RIGHT NOW

00:26

THAT UNFOLDED AT THIS HOUSE

00:27

ON A WAR SPEECH FUGITIVE

00:31

BY U.S. MARSHALS AT ONE 30 THIS

00:32

AFTERNOON. AND WE ACTUALLY GOT

00:33

A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION

00:34

ON THE TIMELINE THAT HAPPENED

00:34

FROM CHIEF JOHNNY JENNINGS.

00:35

SO LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THEY

00:37

WERE SERVED AT WARREN AROUND

00:37

ONE 30.

00:39

AND WHEN THOSE MARSHALS

00:43

APPROACHED THE DOOR, THEY WERE

00:44

MET WITH A GUN FIRE FROM A

00:46

SUSPECT. OFFICERS RETURNED FIRE

00:47

AND WE'RE THEY SHOT THAT

00:52

FRONT YARD. AND THEN THEY

00:53

CONTINUE TO TAKE JOHNNY

00:55

JENNINGS SAID EVEN AFTER THEY

00:57

HAD SET UP A PERIMETER AND THAT

00:57

IS WHY WE HAD THIS LONG

01:00

STANDOFF SITUATION. THEY

01:02

SHOOTERS TOTAL HIGH POWERED

01:04

RIFLE INVOLVED. AT ONE POINT

01:06

THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT

01:07

WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE INSIDE THAT

01:08

HOME WHO ARE NOW UNDERGOING

01:12

QUESTIONING ALL ONE FEMALE AND

01:13

ONE JUVENILE INSIDE THE HOUSE.

01:14

THEY'RE TRYING TO DECIDE OR

01:16

THEY'RE TRYING TO SEE WHO ELSE

01:17

THEY WERE TAKING GUNFIRE FROM

01:21

3 PEOPLE TOTAL AND NOT TO.

01:22

AND JUST INCREDIBLE SITUATION.

01:23

ALICIA TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS

01:24

IS A YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S

01:24

GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU LEAVE

01:27

THE HOUSE USE INCREDIBLY TRAGIC

01:29

DAY FOR THE CITY

01:29

OF CHARLOTTE.

01:30

AND HE HAVE A 4 PEOPLE, 4 OF

01:32

THEM RIGHT NOW THAT ARE IN THE

01:33

HOSPITAL. ONE IS IN CRITICAL

01:34

AND 3 FAMILIES ARE BEING

01:36

NOTIFIED THAT THEIR LOVED ONE

01:37

IS NOT GOING TO COME HOME

01:39

TONIGHT. AND YOU COULD SEE

01:41

TO HEAR THE EMOTION FROM MAYOR

01:42

VI LYLES. AND I THINK FOR ALL

01:45

OF US AND THIS IS OUR JOB TO

01:46

COVER THE NEWS.

01:47

BUT MY HEART IS BEATING SO

01:51

HEAVY RIGHT NOW. WHEN YOU THINK

01:51

OF 8 PEOPLE WHO WERE INJURED, 4

01:55

PEOPLE, U.S. MARSHALS WHO LOST

01:56

THEIR LIVES FOR CMPD OFFICERS.

01:58

ONE CASE IT IS RIGHT NOW

02:02

YOU KNOW, REALLY ALLOWING US

02:04

TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF TAKE THIS

02:05

INTO BUILD THE TALK ABOUT THIS,

02:08

THE QUOTE, THE JOHNNY JENNINGS

02:09

CHIEF OF POLICE GAVE HE SAID

02:12

WHEN WE PUT ON THIS UNIFORM, WE

02:13

DON'T HAVE ANY GUARANTEES.

02:13

WE WILL RETURN HOME. I THINK

02:17

THAT SAID IT BEST IN TERMS OF

02:18

WHAT THEY GIVE. MAYOR VI LYLES

02:23

WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN DO RIGHT

02:24

NOW, IT'S JUST GIVE THEIR

02:26

SUPPORT AND THAT WE'RE GETTING

02:27

THAT CHIEF JOHNNY JENNINGS

02:28

TALKING ABOUT HIS CONVERSATION

02:29

WITH GOVERNOR ROY COOPER, WHO

02:32

WE'VE HAD WE'VE SEEN TWEETS

02:34

FROM, BUT HE SAID WHATEVER YOU

02:35

NEED, WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU.

02:36

AND THAT'S EVIDENT. WE SEE

02:37

FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF IN UPTOWN

02:38

ALREADY FLOWERS BEING OUTSIDE

02:42

THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE. I'M JUST

02:43

A REALLY SAD DAY IN CHARLOTTE.

02:44

YEAH, AND YOU KNOW, WE

02:45

UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

02:46

YOU GIVE US SOME INFORMATION

02:47

THIS WARRANT ON. WE DON'T KNOW

02:52

WHAT WE UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE

02:54

MARSHALS WERE SERVING A WARRANT

02:55

ON A PERSON WHO IS A CONVICTED

02:55

FELON WHO HAD A FIREARM.

02:59

THAT'S INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS

02:59

TO GO UP TO THE DOOR LIKE THAT

03:01

SOMEBODY LIKE THAT. I THINK

03:03

THEY DO. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT

03:06

HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY HAVE

03:07

INVOLVED AND THEY HAD NO IDEA

03:07

THAT THIS AGAINST YOU JUST

03:09

NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO

03:09

HAPPEN AND HOW GUNFIRE RANG OUT

03:13

AS YOU WERE MENTIONING A HERE

03:15

IN E 2 PEOPLE WERE ALSO IN THE

03:16

HOUSE. ONE OF THOSE PERSONS

03:18

OPENED FIRE. WHETHER IT WAS THE

03:19

THEY DON'T THAT IT WAS THEY WHO

03:21

IS THE JUVENILE. BUT THEY ARE

03:23

QUESTIONING BOTH OF THOSE

03:25

PEOPLE RIGHT NOW. SO ONE OF

03:27

IS A SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY

03:27

RIGHT NOW. AND THE SHOOTER DEAD

03:31

IN THE FRONT LAWN SHOT DEAD

03:32

BY U.S. MARSHALS AND CMPD.

03:34

RIGHT. AND YOU ALSO HAVE

03:34

RELIES, TOO, WHEN YOU'RE

03:35

COVERING A CASE OF THIS

03:35

MAGNITUDE AND ENJOY JENNINGS

03:36

SAID HE'S BEEN ON THE FORCE NOW

03:38

FOR 32 YEARS IS NEVER SEEN

03:39

ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

03:42

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF

03:43

THE CASE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

03:44

SO THAT'S WHY SOME OF THESE

03:46

DETAILS ARE NOT LEARNING AT

03:47

THIS MOMENT. BUT JUST, BRIAN,

03:48

AS YOU POINTED OUT, TO BE ABLE

03:54

VERY CLEAR. THEY WERE PART OF

03:55

THE SITUATION. SO THERE'S SOME

03:55

QUESTION IS TO, YOU KNOW, COULD

03:56

THEY HAVE BEEN HOSTAGES?

03:58

COULD THEY'VE BEEN AT THE WRONG

03:59

PLACE THE WRONG TIME? THEY'RE

04:02

THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH

04:05

QUESTIONING TONIGHT. HE ALSO

04:09

LET US KNOW IN TERMS OF AGAIN,

04:15

8 OFFICERS IN TOTAL WERE MORE

04:16

INJURED. 4 U.S. SAY 4 U.S.

04:17

MARSHALS ARE NOW DEAD AND I'M

04:21

SORRY IS THAT 3 U.S. MARSHALS

04:23

ARE NOW DEAD. ONE OF U.S.

04:24

MARSHALS IS INJURED IN THOSE 4

04:26

CMPD OFFICERS THAT ARE ALL

04:27

INJURED. AND ONE OF THOSE CMPD

04:31

FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE AT THIS

04:33

AT THIS TIME. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

04:34

AND IN THE LAST TIME THE TYSONS

04:36

CMPD OFFICERS WERE SHOT AND

04:37

KILLED WITH 2007 WAS A SEAN

04:39

CLARK AND JEFFREY SHELTON OVER

04:39

THE CHARLOTTE AT AN APARTMENT

04:43

COMPLEX, A SENSELESS ACT AND

04:44

WHETHER ONE WAS EXECUTED

04:48

I DON'T REALLY ARE THE

04:48

IDENTITIES OF THESE FOR THE

04:49

U.S. MARSHALS. AND CERTAINLY

04:49

THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS IS JUST

04:51

SHE JOHNNY JENNINGS WAS SAYING

04:52

NOTIFYING THEM.

04:53

BUT A VERY, VERY HAIRY

04:54

SITUATION THAT UNFOLDED TODAY.

04:55

AND CERTAINLY THAT

04:58

INVESTIGATION IS GOING TO LAST.

04:59

WELL, IN 2 OF THE REST OF THIS

05:02

TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT THE

05:04

FACES AS TO WHO LOST THEIR

05:05

LIVES. TODAY, MAYOR VI LYLES

05:06

SAID, REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR

05:08

FATHER, YOUR HUSBAND, YOUR

05:09

FRIEND, YOUR NEIGHBOR.