Suspect in murder of Greensboro officer Michael Horan appears in court on Thursday

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — The suspect in the murder of Greensboro Officer Michael Horan appeared in court on Thursday, Dec. 26. 

Tarell Isaac McMillian, 34, is charged with first-degree murder and was denied bond. He was in court over Zoom. 

He faces up to the death penalty or life in prison. 

Investigators said he shot Horan during a struggle at the Food Lion on Lawndale Drive on Monday, Dec. 23. 

McMillian is also charged with two felony counts for fleeing to elude arrest. The two felony charges also carry up to a 39-month sentence. 

Horan’s family was in court today along with Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson and about 40 other police officers. 

Mayor Nancy Vaughan also attended the hearing in support of the Horan family and the Greensboro Police Department. 

According to court documents, McMillian has another hearing scheduled for March 20, 2025.

Horan was the first to respond to a call in reference to a man with a firearm inside the Food Lion. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said Horan made contact with the suspect. 

The SBI said the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the officer after a brief struggle. The suspect later drove away from the scene around 11 a.m.

Around 1 p.m., the authorities found the suspect driving in Johnston County. Deputies from Johnston County and Sampson County went after the suspect in a high-speed chase. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol later took over the pursuit. 

The suspect was stopped by troopers on I-40 near the Duplin County line and he was taken into custody. 

We will continue to keep you updated with the latest information on the air and on our website.

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