Three officers serving a warrant on a felon wanted for having a gun were killed, and five other officers were injured in a shootout Monday at a home in North Carolina, police said.
Additional officers who rushed to the Charlotte neighborhood to help the first group of downed officers were also wounded when another person started shooting at them after the wanted man was killed, said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.
“We lost heroes today who were simply trying to protect our community,” Jennings said at a press briefing.
Police Chief Johnny speaks at a press conference (Via Jack Mcarty/Shutterstock)
After a three-hour standoff, the suburban Charlotte home was breached. Armored vehicles crashed into it, breaking windows and entire doorways. Some armored vehicles were parked in yards with branches hanging from them.
The task force was shot at by the wanted suspect as they approached the house, and the man was shot dead in the front yard, according to Jennings. The chief did not release his name but said he was wanted as a felon for illegally possessing a firearm.
Jennings added that a second person inside the home fired at officers. They discovered a high-powered rifle there.
