Agents from multiple agencies of the U.S. Marshals Service, a U.S. federal law enforcement agency tasked with capturing fugitives, were conducting an investigation in a suburban neighborhood when “an individual” began shooting at them, the Washington Police Department said. Charlotte-Mecklenburg, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Several victims were taken to hospitals and the shooting continued at the scene for several minutes.
A specialized police SWAT team was in the neighborhood, in the east of the city, the police revealed.
Nearly two hours after the shooting began, police said the location was still unsafe and promised an update with more information “as soon as the situation stabilizes.”
Authorities did not say exactly how many officers were hit by gunfire.
WSOC-TV reported that its helicopter captured an armored vehicle crossing yards and knocking over recycling bins before officers removed a person with blood on his shirt, who was then transported to an ambulance.
Many roads in the area were closed so that ambulances could reach hospitals more quickly. Television footage showed ambulances moving quickly to hospitals, with several vehicles with sirens on in front and behind them.
Police asked people to stay away from the neighborhood and asked residents to stay inside their homes.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said he remained in contact with Charlotte law enforcement and offered all resources to help.
Authorities did not immediately specify the nature of the operation or what exactly was happening when the shooting began.
The North Carolina Regional Office of the U.S. Marshals Service is headquartered in Charlotte and has 70 federal, state and local agencies that collaborate to find and detain criminal suspects.
In six years, this regional force has arrested more than 8,900 fugitives, the U.S. Marshals Service said on its website.
Tags: police officers killed attack neighborhood
