Charlotte, North Carolina – Multiple police officers were taken to the hospital on Monday after an active shooter barricaded themselves in a violent standoff that unfolded in East Charlotte.
North Carolina police confirmed an “active shooter” crisis in the Charlotte area, with reports of “numerous” officers being shot. Tragically, one US Marshal was killed in the ongoing gunfight, while others sustained gunshot wounds, including officers shot in the legs.
Local station WSOC reported that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed that “multiple” individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals. Sources also indicated the possibility of ‘two suspects’ involved in the incident.
The chaotic situation erupted on the 5000 block of Galway Drive, prompting authorities to advise the community to avoid the area until it is secured. To facilitate emergency medical response, several roads have been closed off.
The U.S. Marshals Task Force, which consists of officers from various agencies, including the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, were conducting an investigation in the area just before 2 p.m. local time when they were met with active gunfire from a suspect in the Mallard Creek – Withrow Downs neighborhood.
Reports from Channel 9 revealed that two officers were shot in the legs and another in the chest. The status of the deputy US Marshal who was killed remains unclear. Officials have also suggested the presence of two suspects, with at least one sustaining injuries in the standoff.
Several area schools, including Briarwood Elem, Devonshire Elem, and Cochrane Collegiate Academy, have reported going into a ‘modified lockdown’ due to the incident. As of now, the situation remains active, and the elite SWAT team of the CMPD is on the scene for assistance.