Authorities have identified the four law enforcement officers killed in a North Carolina shooting that broke out Monday, April 29, as they were serving an arrest warrant at a home in Charlotte, N.C..
During a press conference on Tuesday, April 30, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings identified CMPD officer Joshua Eyer and three U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force members as those who died from gunshot wounds in North Carolina shooting incident.
“Officer Eyer faithfully served the CMPD’s North Tryon Division for six years and was a member of the 178th Recruit Class,” the CMPD wrote in a Monday statement posted to X, formerly Twitter. “We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. His life and service will never be forgotten.”
One of the members killed was Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., 48, who was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service and is survived by a wife and four children, the agency said in a statement shared on Tuesday.
The other officers killed, Samuel “Sam” Poloche, 42, and William “Alden” Elliott, 46, were both 14-year veterans of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction veterans, according to an organization press release shared on Monday.
“Sam Poloche joined our NCDAC Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013 and Alden Elliott followed in 2016, each after serving several years as probation/parole officers. They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities,” Secretary Todd Ishee wrote.
“Sam leaves behind a wife and two children, and Alden and his wife were parents to one child,” Ishee added.
Authorities said several other officers were injured in the shooting, which occurred around 1:30 p.m. when a task force arrived at a home to serve a warrant on a man who has since been identified as Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39. Hughes had been wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon in Lincoln County, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Chief Jennings said officers were met with gunfire while approaching Hughes. Jennings confirmed officers returned fire and Hughes was later pronounced dead in the front yard of the home.
The chief added that additional gunfire was then fired by another person from inside the home. The home was cleared after a “long standoff,” and two people who were found inside were taken into custody as persons of interest. They have not been publicly identified, and it is unclear if they will be charged in connection with the shooting.
“Today is a heavy day. The last 24 hours have truly been heartbreaking for all,” Chief Jennings said in a statement posted to the department’s Facebook page on Tuesday, April 30. “We are continuing to support and lean on our law enforcement community as we navigate yesterday’s tragic attack on officers.”
“My prayers go out to the family and friends of CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer and the families of the three other officers killed yesterday afternoon,” he added. “Officer Eyer, North Carolina Department of Corrections Officers Samuel Poloche and William Elliott and U.S. Marshals Deputy Thomas Weeks made the ultimate sacrifice. Their lives and service will never be forgotten.”
A non-profit organization known as Back The Blue NC has created a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of financially supporting the victims’ surviving family members in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“As the investigation unfolds and the names of the fallen are confirmed, the community stands together in solidarity, determined to honor the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” the organization wrote.