GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro police officer was killed Saturday evening after an incident near a Sheetz convenience store, officials said.

The police sergeant was off duty when he saw a crime happening, Police Chief John Thompson said at a media conference Saturday night.

He approached a suspect at about 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sheetz station on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax and was shot, Thompson said. He was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries. 

He was a loving husband, father and brother with 22 years of experience, Thompson said. The officer’s name is not being released out of respect for his family.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gov. Roy Cooper said, "Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones. Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation."

Police issued a Code Blue Alert across the state Saturday night, meaning an officer was hurt and suspects were on the loose. Authorities said they were searching for two men in a black Chevrolet Equinox, but later canceled the alert. Police have not released further details on arrests. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.