GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Detectives with the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating after a Mount Holly police officer was killed following a shooting early Friday, which also involved additional officers, authorities said.
According to Gaston Emergency Medical Services, the shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. at the Mount Holly Car Wash and Arcade on Beatty Drive, just north of Interstate 85.
Huge police response to the officer involved shooting in Mt. Holly.
Watch @wsoctv for details. pic.twitter.com/RzGVTogKJl— John Paul (@JPaulWSOC9) December 11, 2020
GEMS officials said three people were injured and rushed to Caromont Medical Center, WSOTV reported.
Around 8 a.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said on social media that the shooting happened after Mount Holly police officers confronted an armed suspect while responding to a breaking and entering call.
According to CMPD, during the encounter, several shots were fired between the suspect and several Mount Holly police officers, as well as a Gaston County police officer who also responded to the call.
A Mount Holly officer, later identified as 25-year-old Tyler Avery Herndon, was shot and taken to Caromont Medical Center with serious injuries. Just before 10:30 a.m., CMPD said that he had died, according to WSOTV reported.
According to officials, Herndon had been an officer with the Mount Holly Police Department for less than two years.
He would have turned 26 on Sunday.
#MountHolly Officer Tyler Herndon was 25 years old and had been on the department for less than two years.
He would have been 26 on Sunday. He was killed two days before his birthday. @wsoctv https://t.co/nXGbGCIfz4
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveWSOC9) December 11, 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we share that our brother Officer Tyler Herndon passed away as a result of injuries…
Posted by Mount Holly Police Department on Friday, December 11, 2020
Flags at the police department were lowered to half-staff Friday morning.
“It’s just a terrible thing to come to such a small town and to lose an officer and to lose a loved one so close to the holidays,” resident Rhonda Dittrich said, who brought her two children to drop off breakfast for the department. “Anytime that happens, it’s terrible.”
“These officers are our lifeline,” resident Joann Lanier said. “If we can’t help them in their time of need, who will? If we can all come together, then it proves there is hope.”
The flags outside of Mount Holly municipal complex and police department are being lowered in honor of Officer Herndon @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/J2DsKjlvpF
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveWSOC9) December 11, 2020
Police said no other officers were injured in the incident.
The suspect was also shot, but only suffered a minor injury, police said. He was also taken to Caromont Medical Center, where he was treated and released before being transported to the Gaston County Jail, where he remains.
The suspect was identified as Joshua Tyler Funk, WSOTV reported.
Funk, 24, was booked on a charge of first-degree murder.
It was unclear who the third person hurt was or how they were injured.
Just learned several shots were fired between the suspect & multiple Mount Holly police officers as well as a Gaston County police officer. 3 people were taken to hospital, the suspect has been released & is now at the Gaston County Jail. @wsoctv
— Anthony Kustura (@AnthonyWSOC9) December 11, 2020
Two other Mount Holly police officers and a Gaston County police officer were also involved in the shooting and the three have been placed on administrative leave to ensure their respective department policies and procedures were followed, which is standard procedure.
Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper was scheduled to address the public around 3 p.m.
The incident could be heard unfolding on Gaston County Communications.
“Shots fired,” a dispatcher can be heard saying.
“Officer down, officer down — got an officer shot,” a police officer responds.
“We’re responding emergency traffic. Where is the officer shot?” the dispatcher asks.
“Directly behind the building. Suspect is down,” the officer responds.
Mount Holly police, Belmont police and Gaston County police all responded to the scene.
Shortly after noon, Chopper 9 Skyzoom was overhead as dozens of law enforcement vehicles assembled outside the Mecklenburg County medical examiner’s office before escorting the fallen officer’s body back to Gaston County.
Law enforcement was asking the public to keep everyone involved in their thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest condolences go out to the Mount Holly Police Department and the family of Officer Herndon. Officer Herndon tragically lost his life in the line of duty this morning. Please keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers through this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/DupTJymLxD
— Huntersville Police (@HPDNC) December 11, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Tyler Herndon’s family and friends. We are here for support and will honor this fallen hero as a community. #police #lodd #clt #charlottenc pic.twitter.com/c6PGCQKb71
— Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) December 11, 2020
Sen. Thom Tillis posted the following statement on Facebook:
“Susan and I send our deepest condolences to the Mount Holly Police Department and the family of Officer Tyler Herndon. This is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our men and women in blue face each day they go to work to protect our communities. Violent criminals who target law enforcement must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Officials said Highway 273 would be closed for several hours while the investigation took place.
