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.
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.
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.
