A North Carolina police officer has died and a man is facing murder charges after an early morning break-in turned into a deadly shootout.
Mount Holly police officers responded to an active report of breaking and entering at Mount Holly Car Wash on Beatty Drive around 3:30 a.m. on Friday (December 11). When they arrived, they found an armed suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Joshua Tyler Funk. Shots were exchanged between police and Funk, and one officer received critical, and ultimately fatal, injuries. Funk was also shot during the incident, sustaining minor injuries.
Both the officer and Funk were transported to CaroMont Regional Hospital in Gastonia, but the officer did not survive. Funk was treated for his injuries before being arrested for the officer's death.
After initially holding back the name of the officer involved, Mount Holly Police confirmed that Officer Tyler Herndon had passed away.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share that our brother Officer Tyler Herndon passed away as a result of injuries sustained from this morning's shooting," the department announced Friday afternoon. "Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
Officer Herndon, who has been with the department for less than two years, died just two days before his 26th birthday.
Two Mount Holly officers and one Gaston County officer were involved in the incident and were placed on administrative leave, following standard procedure. Detectives with the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
Funk is charged with Felony First Degree Murder. Online arrest records show he was taken to Gaston County Jail Friday morning and held without bond.
Photo: Gaston County Sheriff's Office