Three officers shot dead, five injured in Charlotte, North Carolina

Three law enforcement officers lost their lives and five others were injured during a shooting incident in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday afternoon, according to police reports.

The incident occurred when the US Marshals Task Force executed a warrant in the area. They encountered “active gunfire from a subject,” officials said. The suspect, who is still unidentified, was also killed during the standoff.

The slain officers were part of a US Marshals task force. One of the injured is a US Marshal, while the other four are with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Chief Johnny Jennings addressed the media Monday evening and revealed that one of the injured officers was in critical condition.

Around 5 p.m., about three hours after the initial shooting, authorities confirmed that “at least one shooting suspect was found dead at the residence after the scene was cleared.” Officers suspected the man of illegally possessing a gun because of a prior conviction.

Police have also started questioning two other persons living in the house.

Earlier, law enforcement described the incident as an “active situation”, prompting the deployment of a SWAT team. Once the home was secured, the shelter-in-place order was lifted.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said on social media that he has been in contact with police and is offering state resources to assist after the tragedy.