Who was Terry Clark Hughes Jr? Suspect at Centre of Charlotte Shootings that Killed 4 Officers

Terry Clark Hughes Jr, 39, was the suspect at the center of a standoff that led to the deaths of 4 officers and left four more injured.

Officers with the U.S. Marshalls Service and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CPMD) were serving a warrant for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon when a gunfight broke out.

Hughes was killed but the standoff lead to the deaths of three U.S. Marshalls and a Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD officer.

Terry Clark Hughes Jr was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and two counts of Felony Fleeing to Elude.

He had several priors including being arrested in 2012 for going 115 in a 55 and faced 11 counts and had four warrants.

Additionally, in 2021 he was wanted for the following:

Flee Or Elude Arrest With Motor Vehicle (Felony)
– Maintain Vehicle Or Dwelling Or Place CS (Felony)
– Manufacture Marijuana

The shooting led to the deaths of three members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Two were identified as Officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot, who were members of the N.C Department of Correction Special Operations Intelligence Unit, assigned to the Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD Officer Joshua Eyer was also murdered in the assault.

He is survived by his wife and three-year-old son.

Additionally, three CPMD officers and one U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force officer remain injured but are expected to survive.

The standoff

On Monday, April 29, 2024, around 1:30 p.m., the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, comprised of officers from multiple agencies, was conducting an investigation in the North Tryon Division at a home in the 5000 block of Galway Drive.

The preliminary investigation indicates officers were attempting to serve active felony warrants on a male subject.

As officers approached, the male subject discharged his firearm striking multiple officers. These officers requested immediate response from other officers. As officers responded, the gunfire continued, striking additional officers.

In total, eight officers were struck during the gunfire. The officers were rushed to area hospitals. Three task force officers were pronounced deceased at the hospital.

One of the injured CMPD Officers, Joshua Eyer, a 6-year veteran, fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries.

The male suspect exited the residence on Galway Drive with a firearm. Law enforcement officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapons striking the suspect in the front yard of the residence.

Upon securing the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the residence. The deceased suspect has been identified as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39. Mr. Hughes was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.