(Washington) Three police officers were killed and five others wounded in a shootout Monday as they prepared to arrest a man in North Carolina, in the southeastern United States, local officials said.
After officers opened fire, at least one suspect was found dead in the property's garden, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police wrote in X, following a standoff that lasted about three hours.
President Joe Biden expressed his condolences and support.
The death of three members of the security forces was confirmed by the Department of Justice. Local police said one of the five officers injured in the shooting was in a “critical condition”.
Chief of Police Johnny Jennings told local police they were greeted by gunfire when they intervened after targeting a man who was already a convicted felon for illegal possession of a firearm.
Law enforcement opened fire and shot and killed the suspect before facing more gunfire from inside the home, Johnny Jennings added.
A 17-year-old boy and a woman were arrested, calling it “an absolutely sad day for the city of Charlotte and the police profession.”
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was “disturbed.”
