Charlotte, North Carolina – Four law enforcement officers were tragically killed and five others were wounded during a chaotic shooting incident that lasted for at least 18 minutes in east Charlotte on April 29. As investigators strive to unravel the events leading up to the deadly confrontation, scanner traffic recordings shed light on the harrowing ordeal that unfolded during the attempt to serve a warrant on suspect Terry Clark Hughes, Jr.
The U.S. Marshals Service task force was met with gunfire as they approached Hughes’ residence on Galway Drive. The suspect, positioned in an upstairs window, opened fire on the officers before they could reach the house, resulting in a prolonged exchange of gunfire. Audio recordings from police radio communications reveal the challenges faced by the officers as they were caught in the crossfire and struggled to receive immediate assistance.
The scanner traffic disclosed a timeline of events, starting with the first call for backup at 1:32 p.m. when an officer reported an injured colleague. By 1:35 p.m., two officers were down, with urgent calls for additional support. Emergency responders and SWAT teams were dispatched to the scene by 1:36 p.m. as the officers remained pinned down by continuous gunfire.
As the situation escalated, officers continued to face the relentless barrage of bullets, with reports of multiple officers being injured by shots fired from the side of the house. Despite efforts to rescue the wounded officers, the gunfire persisted, leading to the deployment of patrol cars for assistance. The suspect, identified as Hughes, was eventually brought down after firing from a window, but the gunfire continued from inside the house even after his apparent demise.
The intense standoff finally concluded with officers managing to evacuate all injured personnel by 2:08 p.m. Some neighbors sought refuge while the SWAT team dealt with reports of additional shooters. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings initially suggested the presence of two shooters, but later clarified that the possibility was still under investigation. Multiple weapons, including an AR-15 rifle and a handgun, were discovered at the scene.
The aftermath of the tragic incident left a community in shock and mourning, with ongoing investigations aimed at uncovering the full scope of the confrontation. The resilience and valor displayed by law enforcement officers in the face of grave danger underscore the challenges and risks they confront in the line of duty. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those tasked with protecting public safety.