Four police officers have been shot and killed in the US state of North Carolina as they served an arrest warrant.
Another four police officers were wounded and the suspect was also killed during the shooting at a home in Charlotte, according to officials.
The dead man has been identified by police as 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes Jr who was wanted for illegally possessing a weapon.
Police said the main suspect exited the house with a gun and police fired their weapons after perceiving "an imminent deadly threat".
Police who arrived at the property to rescue the first wave of officers were wounded as a second person began firing on them, according to officials.
A woman and a 17-year-old boy were found inside the property and arrested following the three-hour stand-off.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a press conference following the shooting: "Today is an absolute tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement.
"Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe."
Firearm possession
The shooting took place on Tuesday as a US Marshals-led task force attended the property to carry out an arrest warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm.
As officers approached the home, the suspect opened fire with a high-powered rifle. Officers returned fire, and the suspect was killed in the front garden of the property.
A second person then opened fire, injuring four Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers as they attempted to come to the aid of their police colleagues.
Another member of the taskforce was also shot and injured.
SWAT team
Following a tense stand-off, a SWAT team cleared the house and arrested the two people inside.
Mr Jennings said police believed at least one of those arrested had fired on the officers.
The US Marshals Service confirmed one of its agents was killed. It is the first fatal shooting of a US Marshal in the line of duty since November 2018.
Three officers from the state Department of Adult Correction who were working with the taskforce were also killed, according to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Police said one of the injured officers, Joshua Eyer, "fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries".
In a statement the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it is an "active and ongoing investigation".
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.
Reporting by: IRN
