Shots fired in front yard

USA: Four police officers killed during arrest

(Bild: kameraOne (Screenshot))

Four police officers were killed and four others injured in the US state of North Carolina on Monday. Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a press conference that the officers had visited a man with a criminal record in the city of Charlotte at around midday who had a warrant for his arrest for illegal possession of a firearm.

When they arrived at his home, a man had opened fire in the front garden. The police officers then also fired and finally fatally shot the shooter, Jennings said. However, shots were also fired from the house by another person. Finally, after hours, the police managed to secure the building and arrest two people, a woman and a 17-year-old, in the house.

"Lost some heroes today"
 Eight police officers were shot during the operation, Jennings said. Three succumbed to their injuries at the scene, one died later in hospital. "Today we lost some heroes who were simply working to keep our community safe," the police chief said. "When we put on that uniform, we have no guarantee that we will return home."

Masses of firearms in circulation
Firearms are readily available in the USA and are in circulation on a massive scale. Attacks with many victims regularly rock the country - for example in schools, supermarkets, nightclubs or at large events.

But private disputes, police checks and disputes between criminals and gangs also end fatally far more often than in other countries because so many people carry guns in the USA.