CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An arrest had been made in connection to the illegal purchase of a firearm that led to the death of four law enforcement officers by Terry Hughes Jr.
ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 42-year-old, Natasha Gibbs for her role in the April 29th, 2024 shooting on Galway Drive in east Charlotte. The shootout killed CMPD officer Joshua Eyer, Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks Jr. and N.C. Department of Adult Correction Officers Aiden Elliott and Sam Poloche.
“The loss of four dedicated members of our law enforcement family continues to weigh heavily on all of us,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief of Police Estella D. Patterson. “We are grateful for the steadfast work of our federal partners in bringing accountability to those whose actions contributed to this tragedy that shook both our community and the nation. Purchasing a firearm for someone who is prohibited from owning one is not only illegal, it can lead directly to devastating outcomes, as we saw on April 29, 2024. We remain united with our law enforcement partners in delivering justice for those we lost.”
“So few will ever realize the heavy burdens placed on so many resulting from the tragic events of April 29,” said U.S. Marshal Terry Burgin. “Hopefully, news of this arrest is proof that those supporting true American justice will never forget all those forever victimized on that day. I express my most sincere appreciation to our law enforcement partners for their continued efforts and resolve in this case.”
Gibbs was directly involved in purchasing a firearm for Hughes Jr., who was a known felon and is facing penalties of up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine or both. She purchased the firearm that Hughes used to open fire on law enforcement who were serving a federal warrant.
Natasha Gibbs has been charged with knowingly making false or fictitious statements during the acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer and illegally transferring firearms.
Agents made the arrest in Dallas and is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court in eastern Texas.
