Terry Clark Hughes Jr is named as the shooter who caused the shooting of four law enforcement officers losing their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 29th 2024.
The police were after Terry Clark Hughes Jr for several serious crimes, like escaping from arrest.
He had a long criminal past that went back more than ten years, with records showing he was found guilty of breaking in, drug-related wrongdoings and breaking laws linked to firearms.
In a confrontation with the U.S. Marshal task force, who were trying to deliver an arrest warrant at his house, Hughes started shooting using an assault rifle and this caused the death of one Deputy U.S.
Attempt to Serve an Arrest Warrant
On April 29, 2024, a group of U.S. Marshals task force members that had police officers from the local Charlotte-Mecklenburg department were trying to serve several felony arrest warrants on Terry Clark Hughes Jr. at his home.
Terry Clark Hughes Jr has warrants for various charges. These include possessing a firearm as a felon, running away to avoid arrest and drug offenses that happened in Lincoln County and Person County of North Carolina.
The group, under the guidance of Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., was working to catch Hughes who is a frequent lawbreaker and has been involved in criminal activities for more than ten years.
Initial Confrontation
On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Marshals task force along with police officers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg came close to Terry Clark Hughes Jr.’s home.
They were going there to carry out several felony arrest warrants when Terry Clark Hughes Jr, who was on the top floor of his house at around 1:30 p.m., started shooting using an assault rifle.
This unexpected shooting affected many officers, among them Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr. and Officer Joshua Eyer, starting a disorderly and fatal clash.
Terry Clark Hughes Jr reacted violently towards the police by shooting from a superior position which resulted in tragic consequences for law enforcement and the surrounding area as well.
The Standoff
The standoff concerning Terry Clark Hughes Jr. went on for about 50 minutes, where he shot at law officers from a second-floor window in his home.
Hughes started shooting using an AR-15 assault rifle; he hit and killed four officers while also injuring many more.
The policemen present reacted by starting a disorderly exchange of shots, with at least 23 officers firing their weapons during this confrontation.
In the tactical response, the officers were taking cover and shooting back to try and end Hughes’ threat.
The situation ended when Terry Clark Hughes Jr jumped out of the window into the front yard, with officers telling him to put down his weapon.
Casualties Among Law Enforcement
Four officers who lost their lives in the shooting were Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., aged 48; Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Joshua Eyer; and North Carolina Department of Adult Correction officers Sam Poloche, aged 42, as well as William “Alden” Elliott who was 46 years old.
Weeks had been working with the U.S. Wells had been with the Marshals Service for more than 15 years, and Eyer had served for 5 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Poloche and Elliott both were correctional officers from the state’s Department of Adult Correction.
Along with these four deaths, there were also injuries to four other officers: Christopher Tolley got shot; Michael Giglio got shot too; Jack Blowers was hit by bullets as well. He died later at hospital due to his wounds, Justin Campbell got a break in his foot.
Investigation into the Incident
A big inquiry started after Terry Clark Hughes Jr., who was in a shooting event, to find out what happened when he had his confrontation.
Police said at least 12 officers shot bullets during the standoff. First information suggested that more than 100 projectiles and casings were found, showing how much gunfire there was.
The investigation also concentrated on the guns used by Hughes which were an AR-15 assault rifle as well as a .40-caliber gun; extra bullets were discovered too.
The sad story of Terry Clark Hughes Jr., combined with the news about four policemen losing their lives, is a strong reminder that those who guard and help our areas face serious risks.