WRAL News is working to get answers after authorities say a Rocky Mount police officer shot and killed a person Sunday.
Michael Williams, 39, died in the shooting, according to Rocky Mount Police Chief Martin McCoy.
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"Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Michael Williams as well as the officer who was involved in this incident," McCoy said at a briefing on Monday.
McCoy did not take any questions on Monday about the shooting.
McCoy said an officer encountered Williams on Sunday in the parking lot of a Double Tree Hotel. Williams, who had several outstanding felony warrants, became argumentative and "refused to comply" with the officer's commands, according to McCoy.
According to McCoy, Williams tried to leave the scene in his vehicle. However, the officer got back into his patrol car, blocking Williams' vehicle. Williams then hit the patrol car twice while trying to leave the parking lot, according to McCoy.
Williams drove away, and a chase ensued with speeds reaching 75 mph along Jones Road, McCoy said.
McCoy said Williams drove "carelessly and recklessly" before crashing. Williams then ran from the vehicle, McCoy said.
Watch: Rocky Mount police chief discusses officer shooting, killing man after chase
Outside the State Employees Credit Union along Sunset Avenue near Tyson Avenue, McCoy said Williams "violently assaulted the officer using force that endangered the officer's life."
The officer then shot Williams, according to McCoy.
McCoy said authorities tried to perform life-saving measures on Williams before taking him to UNC Health Nash, where he died.
According to McCoy, the officer received treatment for his injuries from the assault and has since been released.
The Rocky Mount Police Department said on Facebook that it was investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened in the 3300 block of Sunset Avenue. Police said the scene was secure and there is no active threat.
WRAL News went to the scene on Sunday and saw an SUV that appeared to have been in a crash, with its driver-side back tire blown out. Witnesses near the scene told WRAL News they saw a car accident and a subsequent chase involving a person and a police officer.
"I saw a lot of cops moving in, I saw some cops running," said Nancy Trejo, who works in the area. "Some were across the street, and some were going next door."
A spokesperson for the State Bureau of Investigation told WRAL News that the person died in the shooting and the police officer was treated for minor injuries they sustained during the incident.
Surveillance footage shared by a nearby business shows a person running across the parking lot and what appears to be an officer chasing them.
Police said the SBI will be conducting an independent investigation of the shooting.
WRAL News reached out to authorities to ask whether there were other officers at the scene when the shooting happened.
Police said their own investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact them at 252-972-1411 or by submitting an anonymous tip by texting "RMPD" followed by the message to 847411.