GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A police officer responding to a report of a man with a gun inside a North Carolina supermarket was fatally shot Monday and authorities said a suspect was later taken into custody, authorities say.
Police announced the officer's death at an afternoon news conference, saying the officer was responding to a call about an armed person when he was shot before midday at a Food Lion store in Greensboro in the central part of the state.
Authorities said the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation and did not immediately release further details about the specifics of the shooting.
The governor’s office sent a “significant” number of state law enforcement officers to help aid in the emergency response in Greensboro, Gov. Roy Cooper said on X. A heavy police presence was spotted outside the grocery store in Greensboro, the News & Record reported.
The store will remained closed while police continue their investigation, a Food Lion spokesperson said. The company plans to provide resources to its affected workers. The store will remained closed while police continue their investigation, a Food Lion spokesperson said on Monday. The company plans to provide resources to its affected workers.
The shooting was another reminder that state lawmakers should strengthen resources and improve safety for law enforcement officers, said Democratic state Sen. Michael Garrett, who represents part of Guilford County where Greensboro is located.
“During what should be a time of joy and celebration, another brave officer has been shot in the line of duty. Another family’s holiday season forever changed,” Garrett said in a Facebook statement.
The Associated Press