Arrest made in the illegal purchase of the firearm tied to Terry Clark Hughes, Jr.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service today arrested Natasha Renee Gibbs, 42, in Dallas, TX. Gibbs was allegedly involved in purchasing a firearm for known felon Terry Clark Hughes Jr., the shooter that killed 4 law enforcement officers in Charlotte on April 29, 2024.

"The impact of that horrific day is still felt throughout law enforcement and the families and the communities involved," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. "In the wake of that tragedy, it is important to remind everyone that purchasing a firearm for an individual not allowed to own a gun can have terrible consequences. The fact that our law enforcement family lost four brave men that day should highlight that this is not a victimless crime. We stand with the agencies and families still coping with those losses and hope that this arrest brings them some level of peace."

"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 has been charged with knowingly making false or fictitious statements during the acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer and illegally transferring firearms. Gibbs is facing penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Gibbs allegedly purchased firearms possessed by Hughes who opened fire on a U.S. Marshals Task Force during the serving of a federal warrant. The shooting claimed the lives of Joshua Eyer, CMPD Police Officer; Thomas M. Weeks, Jr., Deputy U.S. Marshal; Sam Poloche, N.C. Department of Adult Correction Officer; Alden Elliott, N.C. Department of Adult Correction Officer.

ATF Special Agents and U.S. Marshals Deputies made the arrest in Dallas. Gibbs will appear later this week before the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas.