CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just months before four law enforcement officers were killed and five others were injured during a standoff, the man at the center of the deaths led police on a high-speed chase in Lincoln County.
Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam told WCNC Charlotte one of his officers tried to pull over 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr. in January, but instead of slowing down, he sped up and "took off." Beam said a supervisor called off the short chase once the officer identified the license plate number, which was registered to a woman.
The U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force was attempting to serve multiple warrants against Hughes on Monday, including one tied to that Lincoln County chase, at a home on Galway Drive in east Charlotte when they were met with "active gunfire," according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Hughes was shot and killed during the encounter.
Two other people were found inside the house after Hughes was killed, according to police. CMPD hasn't identified either person, and CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings said Tuesday they are not charged at this time.
A WCNC Charlotte review of Hughes' criminal background shows a man who routinely skipped court and repeatedly tried to evade arrest.
At the time of the shootings on Monday, the task force was trying to serve warrants out of Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Person counties, according to Beam, who has an officer on the task force, too.
Terry Clark Hughes' criminal history
North Carolina state records show Hughes was convicted of breaking and entering in Person County, which is north of Raleigh-Durham, in 2010. He spent approximately six months in prison before being released in May 2011.
Hughes was arrested in June 2012 after a high-speed chase in Alamance County, which is east of Greensboro and west of Raleigh-Durham. Deputies said Hughes led them on a chase at speeds over 100 mph after turning around to avoid a checkpoint. At the time, he was wanted on several warrants in numerous counties for failing to appear in court. He spent nearly a year in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and speeding to elude arrest.
Hughes was arrested by CMPD on multiple drug charges in May 2021. He was also charged with fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. He was released from jail hours later, records show.
Court records show many, but not all, of the charges out of Mecklenburg County were dismissed. There are three pending orders for arrest tied to the remaining charges, including possession of marijuana, fleeing and eluding arrest and possession with the intent to sell or deliver marijuana. Those arrest orders, generally, suggest Hughes failed to appear for a court date.
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather stopped prosecuting many drug crimes in early 2021 as the pandemic bogged down the court system.
Court records show Hughes has a pending case from late 2021 out of Person County for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana. A warrant shows the Person County Sheriff's Office found Hughes with a handgun on him. Court records show he failed to appear for a court date on those charges in February 2023. That same day the courts issued an order for arrest that remains outstanding, according to the clerk's office.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police President Daniel Redford said the suspect's record speaks to the heroism displayed by law enforcement Monday.
"These men and women who all responded to this incident yesterday were courageous, because they knew what they were getting into and still showed up anyway," Redford said. "[The suspect is] where he belongs. I quite frankly don't have anything to say about him other than he deserves everything he got."
Elected leaders, meanwhile, asked the community to come together.
"I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred," Vi Lyles, Charlotte's mayor, said on X. "I ask that all Charlotteans keep them, and the other injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper also traveled to Charlotte to speak with the families of victims and officials.
Toxicology and autopsy results
On July 9, Hughes' toxicology report came back and showed he had THC in his system at the time of his death, plus a medication for erectile disfunction/prostate problems.
His autopsy results showed he had 12 bullet wounds. He had wounds in his arms, right shoulder, his back, his buttocks and his left thigh.
Editor's Note: The Statesville Police Department announced Tuesday evening one of its own officers was among those hurt during the incident. This means five officers were hurt Monday.
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