At least three law enforcement officers were fatally shot and several wounded while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in a North Carolina neighborhood Monday.
Among the deceased are a U.S. Marshal and two local task force officers, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed.
Their identities are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Five additional law enforcement officers were fired on and suffered "varying degrees of injury" while attempting to serve a warrant – specifically on an individual for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. One officer remains in critical condition, police said.
The shooter's identity has not yet been released.
"Officers returned gunfire and struck the victim who was later pronounced deceased in the front yard of the residence," Chief Johnny Jennings told reporters Monday evening. "As officers approached that individual, they received additional gunfire from inside of the residence."
The shooter, who was firing from a "high-powered rifle," was killed by officers on the front lawn.
Two persons of interest inside the home were taken in for police questioning. At least one of them is believed to also have continued firing on officers after the initial gunman went down.
A juvenile and a female were also in the home at the time of the shooting, said police. It's unclear if they were injured in the crossfire.
"Three people lost their lives after they gave us the opportunity to be in a safe place," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. "Think about it – your father, your husband, your friend, your neighbor. And today they're not going home."
This is a developing story.
