Charlotte shooting: Three law enforcement officers killed and others wounded during standoff

Three law enforcement officers were killed and several others were wounded after being shot at a residence in Charlotte , North Carolina, on Monday, police said.

At a news conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief Johnny Jennings confirmed the three fatalities of U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force members and said eight law enforcement officers in total were shot , with one Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in critical condition in the hospital "fighting for his life."

Officers in the task force in the city were conducting an investigation in the 5000 block of Galway Drive in East Charlotte when two suspects fired on them at about 1:30 p.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. The officers were trying to serve a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

"When they approached that individual, they were met with gunfire," Jennings said. Officers returned fire and struck the suspect, who was later pronounced dead in the front yard of the home.

The police chief added that when officers approached the first suspect, they were fired upon from inside the residence. "After a long standoff, we were able to clear this residence and confirm that there were two additional people inside," he added, saying both of them were brought to the police station as people of interest. He did not state whether they were the individual or individuals who fired shots at officers from inside.

"We are trying to determine now what exactly occurred inside the residence," Jennings said.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) reacted to the situation as it unfolded, posting on his X account, “I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help.”

Democratic and Republican candidates to be the state's next governor tweeted their condolences, as did Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC).

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"This is a good example of what we try to tell people every single day that when we put on this uniform, we don't have any guarantees that we'll return home," Jennings said.

The police chief said the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force comprises various agencies in the area, including CMPD officers. CMPD is leading the investigation.