Four Law Enforcement Officers Identified as Victims in Charlotte Shootout; Investigation Ongoing into Possible Second Suspect

Authorities have identified the four law enforcement officers who lost their lives in a shootout that took place on Monday afternoon in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of those officials was Joshua Eyer, serving at the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department for six years under the city’s Northern Tryon division as well being an esteemed member from the 178th Recruit Class. The other two officers who met their untimely end were Samuel “Sam” Poloche and Alden Elliott, both employed by North Carolina’s Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC). They served in NCDAC’S Special Operations and Intelligence Unit as task force officials assigned to the U.S Marshals Carolinas Regional Task Force; Sam joined this unit back in 2013 while Alden followed suit two years later, both having previously worked for several years as probation/parole officers. The surviving family members of these heroes include a wife and children each (for Samuel “Sam” Poloche) or spouse accompanied by a child in the case of Albert Elliot Jr.).
The horrifying episode ensued during Monday’s afternoon when an attempt was made to serve a warrant for firearm possession against Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., who had previously been convicted as a felon. The U.S Marshals Task Force encountered resistance from this individual after three hours of standoff at his suburban Charlotte home; the residence subsequently underwent demolition in response to being fired upon by Mr. Hughes during an exchange of gunfire that led to his demise, along with those aforementioned law enforcement officers.
Investigators suspect there might have been two shooters involved as they continue their investigation into this matter; the police department has taken two persons-of-interest – namely a seventeen year old and an unidentified woman – to its headquarters for further interrogation. The incident left eight law enforcement officers injured, three of whom were CMPD officials while one was from the U.S Marshals Task Force contingent; these victims are currently receiving medical care in preparation for their eventual recovery.
NCDAC’s press release stated that “These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state,” further adding, “We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident.”