A North Carolina police officer was killed Monday morning when an armed man opened fire inside a Greensboro Food Lion grocery store.
Officer Michael Horan, 44, of the Greensboro Police Department was the first to arrive at the store after receiving a 911 call about a suspicious man who may be armed inside the store.
After a brief struggle, the man pulled out a gun and shot Horan, then drove away from the scene around 11 a.m., according to a news release from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Horan “did not have time to draw his weapon or fire,” according to the release.
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Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan was killed after responding to a call about a man with a gun inside the Food Lion.
Almost two hours later, authorities said the man was spotted driving in Johnston County. Deputies from the Johnston County and Sampson County Sheriff's Offices pursued the vehicle as it entered the town of Sutton.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle on Interstate 40 near the Duplin County line, according to the release. The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody without incident.
Charges are pending, authorities said. SBI is leading the investigation at the request of the Guilford County District Attorney.
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The police department described Horan as a loving husband and father with an “excellent reputation” within the department and community.
“We ask that you please keep his family, friends and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers,” a spokesperson said Monday afternoon.
A police officer was shot and killed at a Food Lion on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Google Maps)
A Food Lion spokesperson expressed condolences in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“Food Lion is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred at our store located at 4709 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro,” the company said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the officer's family and friends.”
Food Lion said it is cooperating with authorities and its stores will remain closed.
“We are providing resources to support our employees during this difficult time,” the statement said.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper responded to this tragic shooting. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement on social media that he is in contact with local and state law enforcement regarding the shooting.
“We are deploying key state law enforcement personnel to assist in the response,” Cooper said.
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Officials said Horan had been with the Greensboro Police Department since 2018.
