Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Suspected Charlotte Cop Killer had Extensive Criminal Record

In 2010, he served six months in prison after he was convicted on a felony breaking and entering charge related to an incident that occurred the year before, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

by Staff
April 30, 2024
2 min to read


The suspect who police say killed four law enforcement officers in Charlotte Monday before he was killed by return fire Monday had an extensive criminal record.

Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39, was the subject of an arrest warrant for felon in possession of a firearm. Officials say he opened fire on U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force officers as they approached his residence. Three members of the task force— Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and Samuel Poloche and William Elliott both from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections—were killed.

Ad Loading...

Responding Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers also came under fire. One, Officer Joshua Eyer, was killed. Three others were wounded and one was injured.

Hughes served time in prison following multiple felony convictions, including for breaking and entering, fleeing from the police and possession of a firearm, state records show. He's also faced many drug related charges, USA Today reports.

In 2010, he served six months in prison after he was convicted on a felony breaking and entering charge related to an incident that occurred the year before, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.


In June 2012, he was arrested on charges of speeding to elude arrest. Hughes was convicted of fleeing and possession of a firearm by a felon in October 2012 and served 11 months in prison, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

In May 2021, he was arrested on several charges, including possession of marijuana paraphernalia, manufacturing marijuana and eluding arrest in a motor vehicle, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office website. He was released on bond, records show.

Ad Loading...

The marijuana charges against Hughes were dismissed by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. After Hughes bonded out on the eluding arrest charge, he failed to appear in court, leading to a warrant for his arrest in December 2022 and a pause in court proceedings.

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, USA Today reports. The district attorney's office said in a statement it will continue to work with law enforcement to obtain “a complete understanding of the events of this unspeakable tragedy.”



“While we will generally reserve comment until after an investigation has concluded, know that we grieve for the brave law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice yesterday and to the families they leave behind,” the statement said.

More Patrol

Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →
Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →
Clooudy sky background with a lot of blue, logo for DroneSense, and dates and location of an upcoming event.
PatrolFebruary 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips featuring a black background with police car lights and headline What Makes a Good LE Boot?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Read More →
Red fabric background with blue and white Folds of Honor logo.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →