NC Food Lion shooting: Greensboro officer killed responding to grocery store days before Christmas
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Greensboro police officer Michael Horan was killed responding to a call at a Food Lion just two days before Christmas.
Horan was called to the Food Lion store on Lawndale Drive just off Interstate 840 in northern Greensboro after reports came in just before 11 a.m. of a man with a firearm inside the store.
The State Bureau of Investigation said that shortly after Horan arrived, he encountered the armed man and a brief struggle ensued. The man then pulled out a gun and shot the officer before getting in a car and driving away. Horan did not have time to draw or fire his weapon, the SBI said.
"Circumstances of what led to the shooting are currently being investigated," Assistant Police Chief MJ Harris said during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Horan was hired in 2017 and became a sworn officer in 2018. Greensboro Police Department said he was an "excellent" officer with an outstanding reputation. He was also a husband and father.
Memorials have been set up in his honor at police headquarters. One will be located outside and the other in the main lobby.
The Greensboro Police Officer Association set up a fundraiser online. Donations will go to supporting Horan's family in their time of need.
"We want to thank our community for continuing to support our officers and their families during this difficult time," Harris said.
Horan served in the department's patrol bureau. He also was a U.S. Coast Guard member since 2000, according to his LinkedIn profile and other sources.
The North Carolina Sheriff's Association called the shooting "a senseless tragedy" and added that it "demonstrates the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day they are on duty."
The identity of the person accused of shooting and killing Horan has not been released. However, that person was taken into police custody without incident after a high-speed chase.
ABC11 sources said the chase that ended several hours after the Food Lion shooting and 150 miles away in Duplin County was connected to the case.
According to the SBI, the chase began in Johnston County when deputies spotted the suspect vehicle and began to pursue it. Sampson County deputies joined in and then the Highway Patrol took over.
The chase ended at Exit 355 (NC-403) near Warsaw at the Duplin County line.
The SBI said charges were pending.
Food Lion released the following statement about the incident:
"Food Lion is deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our store located at 4709 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro. As this is an active investigation, we are directing all questions to local law enforcement. Food Lion is cooperating with authorities and the store will remain closed while the police investigation continues. We are providing resources to support our associates during this difficult time."
Greensboro Police have asked the State Bureau of Investigation to take the lead on this case.
Gov. Roy Cooper said on X that he extended his condolences to Horan's family and his fellow officers, saying the fallen officer was "courageously doing his duty protecting Greensboro when he became the victim of a senseless act of violence." He added that he was grateful for Horan's "brave, dedicated service."
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 statement.
Horan is the second Greensboro police officer killed in the past 12 months. Officer Philip Dale Nix was off-duty when he was shot and killed Dec. 30, 2023, at a Sheetz convenience store while attempting to stop a crime in progress. Three people were arrested in Nix's shooting death.
ABC11's Akilah Davis and The Associated Press contributed.
