Greensboro police officer Michael Horan was killed in the line of duty on December 23, just two days before Christmas. He responded to a call at a Food Lion store on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro after reports of a man with a firearm inside. Shortly after his arrival, shots were fired, fatally wounding Officer Horan. Assistant Police Chief MJ Harris stated during a press conference that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation.
Officer Horan, hired in 2017 and sworn in 2018, was described by the Greensboro Police Department as an “excellent” officer with an outstanding reputation. He is survived by his wife and children. Memorials have been established in his honor at police headquarters, one outside and another in the main lobby. The Greensboro Police Officer Association has launched an online fundraiser to support his family.
While the identity of the suspect has not been publicly released, the individual is in police custody. Sources indicate a police chase, ending approximately 150 miles away in Duplin County several hours after the shooting, is connected to the case. This chase concluded near Warsaw, resulting in closures and traffic delays on I-40.
Food Lion released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident and confirming their cooperation with law enforcement. The store remains closed pending the investigation, and the company is providing support to its employees.
Tragically, Officer Horan’s death marks the second Greensboro police officer killed in the past twelve months. Officer Philip Dale Nix was fatally shot off-duty on December 30, 2023, while attempting to stop a crime at a Sheetz convenience store. Three individuals were arrested in connection with Nix’s death.