How You Can Donate To The Families Of The Four Fallen Officers From Charlotte Shooting

On Monday, April 29, 2024, the country lost four dedicated officers in a tragic shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Those killed were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer; and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.

Following the tragedy, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shared ways the public can help the families who lost their loved ones during the shooting.

Those wishing to donate to the families of the four fallen officers can do so through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation's website. From there, click "donate," which will redirect you to a PayPal page.

CMPD asks those donating to indicate how they would like their donations to be allocated in the PayPal comment section.

Those wishing to send personal gifts, cards, or item donations can be delivered or mailed to 601 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC, with attention to CMPD Human Resources. All items received will be promptly delivered to the families in need.

For any inquiries, please reach out to CMPD HRD at 704-336-5320.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings confirmed that the officers were attempting to serve a warrant at the home in Charlotte but were met with gunfire.

“As officers approached, they received additional gunfire from inside the residence," he said.

Jennings later told CNN, “Unfortunately, this individual decided to greet them with gunfire, and it just turned into a tragic event for the officers who were originally out on the scene and the officers who responded to try and assist."

The shooter, who was killed by police in the shootout, has been identified as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., who was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina, according to police.

Police later confirmed that an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun, and ammunition were all found at the scene.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings, an AR-15 is designed to let ammo penetrate traditional body armor, which allowed the shooter to “unload several rounds towards our officers within a matter of seconds."

He also confirmed that more than 100 spent rounds were found at the scene. However, he did not make it clear how many were fired by the suspect. At least 12 officers also fired guns in the shooting.

“Even though officers were trying to take cover, they were at a disadvantage because the suspect was up at a higher level, and they were returning fire from a lower position,” Jennings said before adding that the gunman was “shooting from upstairs.”

Following the tragedy, Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement. “Charlotte isn’t going to be the last place that this happens,” she said. “But Charlotte will be the place that will heal — that will heal with dignity and respect for everyone.”

Johnny Jennings told the public, “Today is a heavy day. The last 24 hours have truly been heartbreaking for all. We are continuing to support and lean on our law enforcement community as we navigate yesterday’s tragic attack on officers. My prayers go out to the family and friends of CMPD."

One day after the shooting occurred, President Joe Biden took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to address the tragedy.

"Yesterday, four brave law enforcement officers – including a Deputy U.S. Marshal – were killed in Charlotte, North Carolina in the line of duty. They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us," he wrote. "We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded."

President Biden then added, "To the families of those we lost: Jill and I, and all Americans, are here for you. We will always be here for you."

The investigation is ongoing. To donate, visit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation's website.