A large law enforcement presence descended on south Columbus Tuesday afternoon after an officer-involved shooting left a Columbus police officer and a police K-9 injured and a suspect dead.

The incident unfolded on Baker Plaza Drive near the former Muscogee County Elementary School.

CNAW2News.com crews were already in the area covering a homicide investigation at a Dollar General on Victory Drive when gunfire was heard from the Baker Plaza Drive area.

Multiple emergency units, including at least two ambulances, a ladder truck, a fire engine and numerous Columbus Police Department patrol vehicles, responded to the scene. A black sedan was seen surrounded by law enforcement officers in the school parking lot.

Several top-ranking Columbus Police Department officials responded, including Assistant Chief Lance Deaton and Deputy Chief Roderick Graham.

According to Columbus Police Department Director of Community Affairs and Public Information Officer Brittany Santiago, officers were called to the area of Baker Plaza Drive and Fort Benning Road around 12:55 p.m. regarding an officer-involved shooting.

“One of our officers were injured, as well as one of our K-9s and the suspect is deceased, but there is no threat to public safety at this time,” Santiago said.

Santiago said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will lead the investigation, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. She added that the Columbus Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards will conduct an internal review.

The Muscogee County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim in Tuesday’s Dollar General homicide as Alexis Hill, 44, of Columbus.

According to the coroner, Hill was working as a cashier at the Dollar General on Victory Drive when a man entered the store and purchased a package of hamburger buns.

The coroner said the purchase totaled $1.58 and the suspect handed Hill a crumpled $2 bill. As Hill was straightening the bill and preparing to place it in the cash register, the suspect stepped to the side and shot her in the head.

Hill died from her injuries.

Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis later confirmed the suspected gunman was killed during an officer-involved shooting on Baker Plaza Drive after officers encountered him while searching for the homicide suspect.

Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis confirmed investigators believe the deceased suspect was the same person responsible for the homicide at the Dollar General earlier Tuesday.

“We’ve got a perpetrator that is deceased and it’s going to be the same perpetrator that just committed murder right down the street at Dollar General,” Mathis said. “We have it on security footage. It was a cold-blooded murder.”

According to Mathis, officers were actively searching for the homicide suspect when they encountered him near Baker Plaza Drive.

“The officers, after the homicide, after the murder at Dollar General, they were in the area looking for the person,” Mathis said. “I don’t know 100% how they made contact with this person yet, but I assume that they found him and that’s when the shootout took place.”

Mathis delivered a strong message regarding violent offenders who attack law enforcement officers.

“You commit murder in the city of Columbus and then you shoot two of my police officers, we’re going to kill you,” Mathis said during the media briefing.

Mathis said that one Columbus police officer suffered what he described as a superficial gunshot wound. He is expected to recover.

Mathis also confirmed a police K-9 was shot during the incident, transported to Macon Road Veterinary Clinic, and was airlifted to Auburn for emergency veterinary treatment.

“We consider our canines as police officers,” Mathis said. “I’d ask all the citizens to pray for the police officer and the canine.”

Santiago emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“There is no threat to public safety,” Santiago said. “Everything is under control here and at the other location. Both scenes are secure.”

She also asked the community to keep everyone affected by Tuesday’s violence in their thoughts and prayers.

“This is certainly not something that is easy,” Santiago said. “Our officers, they work hard day in and day out, and they want to make it home to their families, too. For the female who lost her life earlier, she has loved ones, and I’m pretty sure she wanted to make it home, too.”

The identities of the deceased suspect, the injured officer and the injured K-9 have not been released.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is expected to release additional details as its investigation progresses.

This is a developing story.