COLFAX, NC – A Blue Alert initiated following the fatal shooting of an off-duty Greensboro Police sergeant at a Sheetz gas station in Colfax, North Carolina, has been withdrawn. The incident happened just after 4 p.m. on Sandy Ridge Road when an off-duty sergeant attempted to intervene in an ongoing crime at the gas station. The suspects involved responded by shooting the sergeant, authorities affirmed.
Another off-duty officer and a paramedic from Guilford County were also present during the crime. They immediately rendered aid to the critically wounded officer who was ultimately transported to the hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities initially described the suspect’s vehicle as a black Chevrolet Equinox bearing a North Carolina license plate number KKA-4332 and sporting a Hertz Car Sales plate on the front.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper offered his condolences saying,”Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation.” A Blue Alert signifies a dangerous situation, either due to a law enforcement officer being seriously injured or killed, or the suspect posing a severe threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel.
The fallen officer served the department for 22 years, according to Greensboro Police Chief Thompson, who held a press conference Saturday evening. As of now, the department has yet to release the identity of the killed sergeant.