GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A Greensboro police officer has died after a shooting that took place at a Food Lion in Greensboro on Monday, according to the Greensboro Police Department.

At 10:45 a.m., Greensboro police say they got a report about a possible person with a handgun inside the Food Lion on the 4700 block of Lawndale Drive. At about 11 a.m., shots were fired in the store, killing Horan.

A little after 1 p.m., the suspect was located in Johnston County driving a vehicle, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.

Deputies with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office began a pursuit and were joined by deputies from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office when he entered Sutton Town until the North Carolina State Highway Patrol took over and initiated a PIT maneuver.

The vehicle was stopped on I-40 near mile marker 360 at the Duplin County line, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Charges are pending

Greensboro City Councilmember Zack Matheny was the first to confirm to FOX8 that there was a shooting. Police say the shooting took place inside the Food Lion.

In a statement on social media, Gov. Roy Cooper said, “I am in contact with local and state law enforcement regarding the shooting involving a Greensboro Police Officer. We have sent significant state law enforcement personnel who are helping with the response.”

A Food Lion spokesperson said in a statement:

Food Lion is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred at our store located at 4709 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro. We express our deepest condolences to the officer’s family and friends.

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.

About Officer Horan

Officer Michael Horan worked for Greensboro police for seven years. He was hired in September 2017 to start the 103 PBIC Academy.

In 2019, Horan received a lifesaving award for rescuing a father and son from rip currents while on vacation with his family in Emerald Isle.

“Michael was sitting on the beach while vacationing on Emerald Isle with his family when he heard a male voice shouting for help,” according to Beach Haven Beach Patrol, of which he was formerly a member. “Mike’s training took over and he immediately identified that not one but two victims were caught in the deadly vice of a rip current. Michael sprang into action immediately and swam to the victims … Michael brought both victims back to shore completely ignoring the enormous danger to himself. The man and his 12-year-old son are [alive] today due to Mike’s truly heroic efforts. For his heroism, Michael received the Greensboro Police Department’s Medical Life Saving Award for 2018. Congratulations Mike, your daughter was lucky enough to see how courageous her father really is in action and should be as proud of you as we all are. Well done Mike!”

Horan also served 18 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, since January 2000, and was an active reservist.

According to GPD, while serving with the U.S. Coast Guard, Horan conducted New York City and Washington D.C. harbor defense operations in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks. He was part of the first Coast Guard Counter-Terrorism unit in Seattle. He has been stationed in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands, New York and New Jersey where he conducted counter-terror, counter-narcotics and counter human trafficking missions.

From June 1995 to 2017, Horan served as a lieutenant, lifeguard and instructor at the Beach Haven Beach Patrol in Beach Haven, New Jersey. 

During the Monday news conference, Greensboro Patrol Bureau Assistant Chief MJ Harris said, “He was a husband, a father, a son, a friend and much more to his family. …. He was an excellent officer. He had an outstanding reputation inside the department and in the community.”

Greensboro City Manager and former Greensboro Office Trey Davis said, “In a word, we’re heartbroken.”

The Greensboro Police Officers Association set up a Help A Hero fundraiser in Horan’s memory. All proceeds will go to his immediate family.