A North Carolina man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a police officer who was responding to a report of a man with a gun in a supermarket. Tarell Isaac McMillian, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan at a Food Lion store in Greensboro.
McMillian also faces multiple charges related to a vehicle pursuit that led to his arrest in Duplin County, about 150 miles southeast of Greensboro. Authorities have stated that they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.
Officer Horan, who was hired in 2017 and became a sworn Greensboro Police Department officer in early 2018, was shot while responding to the report at the Food Lion store. The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant Police Chief Milford J. Harris described Horan as an excellent officer with an outstanding reputation both within the department and the community. Horan, who also served in the U.S. Coast Guard since 2000, was praised for his brave and dedicated service.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper extended his condolences to Horan's family and fellow officers, emphasizing that the fallen officer was courageously carrying out his duty to protect Greensboro when he was tragically killed in a senseless act of violence.
The Food Lion store where the shooting occurred will remain closed as authorities continue their investigation. The supermarket chain has stated that it is providing resources to its affected workers during this difficult time.
