A North Carolina police officer was fatally shot while responding to a report of a person with a gun at a supermarket, authorities said.

The shooting happened Monday morning at a Food Lion in Greensboro, police said.

Greensboro Officer Michael Horan was fatally injured after responding to a call about a “man with a gun” in the store, police said.

“The circumstances leading up to the shooting are currently under investigation,” Greensboro Deputy Police Chief MJ Harris said during a news conference Monday.

The suspect fled the scene and was taken into custody after a high-speed chase, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office said. There is no danger to the public, Harris said.

No further details about the suspect were released.

Horan had been a sworn officer with the Greensboro Police Department since early 2018.

“He was an excellent officer,” Harris said. “He had an excellent reputation within the department and the community.”

According to police, Horan previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 18 years, during which time he received an award for rescuing a father and son from rip currents.

“Simply put, we are heartbroken,” Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis said at the news conference.

Greensboro police asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to lead the investigation into the shooting.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said “significant state law enforcement personnel” were deployed to help with the response.

A spokesperson for Food Lion said it is cooperating with authorities and the store will remain closed during the investigation.

“Food Lion is deeply saddened by the tragedy that has occurred at our store,” the spokesperson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the officer’s family and friends.”

“We are making resources available to support our employees during this difficult time,” the spokesperson added.

ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report.