(Washington) – Three police officers were killed and five others were wounded in a shootout on Monday as they prepared to arrest a man in North Carolina, in the southeastern United States, local authorities announced.
At least one suspect was found dead in the property's garden after officers returned fire, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police wrote on X, after a standoff that lasted about three hours.
The White House said President Joe Biden expressed his “condolences and support.”
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the killing of the three security forces members. Local police said that of the five officers who were shot, one of them was in “critical condition.”
Police came under fire when they intervened on a warrant targeting a man who had already been convicted and then wanted for illegal possession of a firearm, Johnny Jennings, the local police chief, told the local press.
Law enforcement responded and shot and killed the suspect before facing more gunfire from inside the home, Johnny Jennings added.
He added that a 17-year-old boy and a woman were arrested, referring to “a very tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the police profession.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that he was “distraught.”
