Three law enforcement officers have been fatally shot and five others wounded while serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, officials confirmed. The tragic incident unfolded on a suburban street as officers attempted to apprehend a felon wanted for possessing a firearm.
According to authorities, at least one suspected attacker was found dead in the front yard of a barricaded home after a three-hour standoff. Police revealed that two shooters were involved in the attack, which left a US Marshal among the deceased officers.
The injured officers, part of a US Marshals Service-led task force, came under fire while trying to serve the warrant. Gunfire erupted, leading to a chaotic scene with shots being exchanged between the officers and the assailants.
Residents in the area were urged to shelter in place as shots continued to ring out for more than two hours. Nearby streets were closed to facilitate ambulance rescues, and several schools were placed on lockdown during the siege.
The tense situation finally came to an end when police stormed the home on Galway Drive. Two individuals who were inside the home with the suspect were taken into custody for questioning.
Witnesses described the harrowing ordeal, with one resident recounting the chaos and intense gunfire that ensued during the standoff. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed deep sadness over the incident and called for the community to keep the officers, their families, and the injured in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.