Three police officers were killed and five others were wounded during a shootout that broke out Monday when they went to arrest a suspect in North Carolina, in the southern United States, local authorities said.

At least one suspect was found dead in the backyard after officers returned fire, the Charlotte-Meckleburg Police Department said after the nearly three-hour standoff.

US President Joe Biden expressed his “condolences” and “support” to the families of the dead and the injured and their families, the White House announced.

The deaths of the three members of the security forces were confirmed by the Ministry of Justice.

Among the wounded, one police officer is in a “critical condition,” police said.

The officers came under fire when they went to serve an arrest warrant for a man with a previous conviction who was wanted for illegal gun possession, Charlotte-Meckleburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings told reporters.

Law enforcement returned fire and fatally wounded a suspect before more shots were fired from inside the home, Police Chief Jennings added.

A 17-year-old and a woman were arrested, he said, calling it an “absolutely tragic day” for “the city of Charlotte” and law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was “shocked” in a press release released by his office.