Charlotte police officers visited a man with a prior conviction to serve him an arrest warrant for unlawful possession of a weapon, Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a news conference.
When they arrived at the house of the wanted person, the man in the yard started shooting. Police officers also opened fire and shot the shooter, Mr. Jennings explained. But bullets were also flying from the building.
Police were eventually able to enter the home and arrest the two occupants. They are currently being interrogated and are considered to be involved in this crime.
Eight police officers were hit by bullets during the operation, Mr. Jennings said. Three of them died from their injuries, and the condition of one more is critical.
“Today we lost several heroes who went out of their way to keep our community safe,” Mr. Jennings said. “When we put on these uniforms, we’re not sure if we’re going to go home.”
The United States has an abundance of firearms and they are easy to obtain. The country is constantly hit by attacks that claim the lives of many people, for example in schools, shopping malls, night clubs or large public events.
However, because so many of the US population owns guns, domestic disputes, police raids, and criminal and gang feuds sometimes lead to bloodshed.
