Four police officers were shot dead when they knocked on a house to service an arrest warrant in North Carolina.
A gunman opened fire on a group of officers approaching the address on the warrant leaving four fatally wounded.
The shooter was then killed at the front of he property before another person inside opened fire.
Four other officers was also injured in the shootout.
A woman and a 17-year-old male were found in the home after a three hour standoff with the address in Charlotte surrounded by armed SWAT teams.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said 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."
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.
“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” Mr Biden said in a statement late on Monday. “We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded.”
After the shootings SWAT teams entered the house and detectives began to collect evidence. Neither the shooter or those arrested have been named,
Neighbour William Cunningham told AP: “Bless those officers and bless their families,” he said. “Nobody should get killed over a warrant.”
The US Marshals Service said 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 task-force were also killed, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said.
