Charlotte, NC shooting: Suspect named as officers killed in shootout are identified

Chief Jennings said at Tuesday’s press conference that “traditional body armor for police officers cannot withstand a rifle round.”

An AR-15 rifle and a 40-calibre handgun were recovered from the house.

He added that “officers were at a disadvantage because the individual” was at an elevated level.

At Tuesday’s press conference, CMPD Chief Jennings addressed the possibility of a second shooter at the residence where Terry Clark Hughes, Jr was fatally shot as law enforcement officers were trying to serve him a warrant.

Mr Jennings said he was “not ruling out the possibility that someone else was firing as well.”

As the officers approached the house, Hughes was shooting from upstairs “down at the officers both front and back,” which officers thought and was an indication that there was more than one shooter.

He noted that two others — one girl, 17, and another woman who was “a little older” — were also in the home “voluntarily.” While he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of arrest, the chief confirmed the pair have not been charged with any crime.

There was no indication that “anyone had succumb” as a result of friendly fire, the police chief said.

“North Carolina lost four heroes and saw four other heroes wounded,” Gov Roy Cooper said.

“We are grateful for their bravery and courage,” he said of the fallen officers.

He promised to continue to provide state resources in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Deputy US Marshal Thomas Weeks was named as the fourth slain officer. He was a member of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which is made up of 16 agencies in the state.

At a Tuesday press conference, Director of US Marshal Service Ron Davis called the slain US Marshal a “hero.”

He said Weeks was 48 years old, and leaves behind his wife and four children.

Chief Jennings said there were “well over 500 rounds of projectiles and casings” in the residence where the shooting transpired.

Police also recovered an AR 15 rifle and a 40-calibre handgun, as well as additional magazines and ammunition for both firearms.

Mr Jennings confirmed that the person who was shot and killed — Terry Clark Hughes Jr — was the individual who law enforcement officers were trying to serve with a warrant.

He added that two women inside the residence “are fully cooperating with the investigation” and we are “not looking or interested in any additional suspects or any persons of interest.”

CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings revealed the names of the four officers who were injured.

• Chris Tolley, a CMPD officer, underwent surgery and is now in stable condidtion
• Mike Giglio, a CMPD officer, suffered gunshot wound injuries and was released yesterday
• Jack Blowers, a CMPD officer, suffered gunshot wound injuries and was released yesterday
• Joshua Campbell, a CMPD officer, who not shot but suffered a broken foot and was discharged this morning

Officers had been attempting to serve felony warrants on Hughes, the 39-year-old gunman identified in the Charlotte shooting.

CMPD said the five-foot-nine man was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

Criminal records in the state show he has an extensive rap sheet, many of are drug-related charges.

On April 24, he failed to appear in court related to charges of possession of firearm by felon and marijuana possession.

In 2021, Hughes was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, and having knowingly maintained or kept a shop, residence, building, or some other place that is being unlawfully used for the purpose of selling, keeping, or using a controlled substance.

That same year, he was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest.

Back in 2012, he also faced possession of firearm by felon, eluding arrest with two aggravating factors, reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked,

In 2011, he was also faced the charge of possessing firearm by felon.

Back in 2009, he was charged with breaking and/or entering and possessing a stolen firearm.

Three years prior, he was twice charged with carrying a concealed gun, while as early as 2001, he was charged with communicating threats — against his father.