A North Carolina police officer was killed Monday morning when a gunman opened fire at a Greensboro Food Lion grocery store.

Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan, 44, was the first to arrive at the store after a 911 call was made about a suspicious man, possibly armed, in the store.

After a brief struggle, the man pulled out a gun and shot Horan before leaving the scene in a car 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 or fire his weapon,” the release said.

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Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan was killed after responding to a call about a man with a gun at a Food Lion.

Nearly two hours later, authorities said the man was found driving in Johnston County. Officers from the Johnston County and Sampson County Sheriff’s Offices pursued the car as it entered Sutton Town.

According to the news release, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol stopped the car on I-40 near the Duplin County line using a PIT maneuver. The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities say charges are still pending. The SBI is conducting the investigation at the request of the Guilford County District Attorney.

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Police described Horan as a loving husband and father with an “outstanding reputation” within the department and community.

“We ask that you keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers,” a spokesman said Monday afternoon.

An officer was shot at the Food Lion on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Google Maps)

A spokesperson for Food Lion expressed its condolences in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Food Lion is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred at our store at 4709 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro,” the company wrote in the statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the officer’s family and friends.”

Food Lion said it was cooperating with authorities and the store would remain closed.

“We are providing resources to support our employees during this difficult time,” the statement said.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper responded to the tragic shooting. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)

In a statement posted on social media, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he was in contact with local and state law enforcement regarding the shooting.

“We have deployed significant state law enforcement personnel to assist in the response,” Cooper said.

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According to officials, Horan served with the Greensboro Police Department since 2018.