US shootout: Four police officers killed, four injured while serving warrant in Charlotte

Four law enforcement officers, who were members of a US marshals task force, were shot dead while they were serving a warrant at a home on Monday (April 29) in Charlotte, North Carolina, as perofficials.

In the incident, one marshal and three local officers, who were part of the fugitive task force, lost their lives.Gov. Roy Coopersaid that "two state Department of Adult Correction officers" had been killed.

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Meanwhile, an additional task force memberaswell asthree officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departmentalsoreceived injuries. In the incident, a total of eight law enforcement officers were shot by the accused.

According to the officials, a suspect also lost his life in theshootout.

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How did the unfortunateshootoutoccur?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said the dead police officers were "heroes that were just simply trying to keep our community safe."

The task force reached a house at around 1:30 pm (local time) to serve a warrant to asubject,whose identity has notbeen revealed. While the officers were serving the warrant, the accused suddenly began shooting with a high-powered rifle, said Jennings.

The warrantwas issuedon the suspicion that the accused, who was a convicted felon, had a firearm. When theshootoutbroke out, the task force members also retaliated and killed the suspect in the front yard of the home.

One sergeantof the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police was at the site of theshoot-out, however, hewas not injured. He called forbackupafter which four responding officers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg police reached the site, Jennings said.

Eventually, the homewas clearedby the police and two people - who were present insideincludinga 17-year-old, were detained by the police. According to the officials, two people fired atlaw enforcement, said Jennings.

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Police asked residents to stay away from the site of shootout

Taking to X, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department appealed to people to "steer clear of the area". "Residents stay inside of your homes. Multiple victims transported to nearby hospitals," it added.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, while speaking at the news conference on Monday (April 29), said that the community should honour the deputy marshals who lost their lives.

"These are people that cared deeply about what they've done for our profession, andnowtoday, we have to say to them, 'How much we are grateful for what they have done'," said Lyles.

"Three people lost their lives today.And the most I can ask the community is that we honour and respect them for allthe work they've done," he added.

The governor saidthat theincident was "tragic" and added that the state is offering assistance.

"I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help. — RC,"said Cooper, on X.

Hefurther offered his condolencesto the families and co-workers in the "brutal attack."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden was informed about the shooting, said the White House. Biden held talks with Cooper and "expressed his condolences," as per the White House.

(With inputs from agencies)