Shootout claims lives of four officers in Charlotte, US

CHARLOTTE: At least four law enforcement officers lost their lives during a shootout while attempting to serve an arrest warrant to a civilian Charlotte located in the state of North Carolina in the United States (US) on Monday.

According to local police, the suspect initiated gunfire when officers, along with members of a US Marshals fugitive task force, arrived to execute the warrant for possessing a firearm at the suspect’s residence.

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As per local authorities, nearly ten officers sustained gunshot wounds during the altercation.

The unexpected exchange of gunfire resulted in the deaths of at least four law enforcement officers, with several others sustaining injuries. The suspect was also shot to death during the confrontation.

Charlotte Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings described the event while addressing media personnel. He stated the “officers returned gunfire and struck the victim who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of [his] residence. As officers approached the individual, they then received additional gunfire from inside the residence”.   

Despite the suspect’s demise, two other individuals from within the suspect’s residence were apprehended as “persons of interest.”

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An investigation is underway to establish further details.

Charlotte is a city of almost 900,000 residents in the US state of North Carolina. It is also a commercial hub for the state and is holding the “NASCAR Hall of Fame”. The city was founded in 1755 CE and is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen of Britain and Ireland from 1761 till 1818