GREENSBORO, NC (WBTV) – The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was investigating a fatal shooting at a Food Lion that left a Greensboro police officer dead.

The office said a call was received shortly before 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, about a suspicious and possibly armed person at the Food Lion on Lawndale Drive.

Officer Michael Horan was first on scene and made contact with the individual inside the store.

The office said that after a brief struggle, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the officer before leaving the scene in a vehicle.

Officer Horan did not have time to fire his weapon. He leaves behind a wife and children, according to Greensboro police.

“It’s just a really heavy feeling when you hear this loss, and I think today is a reminder that the dangers of law enforcement are really prevalent every day,” said Chet Effler, president of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police. “I hope that we get through this holiday season and reflect and think of this father, this son, this husband who went to work today to try to make his community better.”

After 1 p.m., officers said the suspect was in Johnston County and was driving a vehicle.

Officers from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office began the pursuit and were assisted by officers from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office as the suspect entered Sutton Town until the North Carolina State Highway Patrol took control and performed a PIT maneuver.

Officers say they were able to stop the vehicle on I-40 at the Duplin County Line and the suspect was arrested without incident.

Charges are pending.

To help the Horan family, you can click here.

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