Three members of US Marshals Task Force killed during investigation in North Carolina

Three U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force members were killed in the line of duty in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, officials announced.

Local police confirmed that three officers had been killed and five more were hit by gunfire. As of press time, one is in critical condition.

The officers were conducting an investigation Monday afternoon when shooting began. Multiple officers were reportedly struck and were transported to the hospital.

The officers were part of a U.S. Marshals Task Force, which is made up of multiple agencies.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says a SWAT team has been sent to the scene and that shots appear to have been fired by a lone gunman.

The CMPD has announced that "at least one shooting suspect" has been found dead at the scene.