GASTONIA, N.C. -- A bullet to the heart fired by a North Carolina police officer killed the man authorities think was a serial killer responsible for five deaths in South Carolina this summer.

An autopsy report obtained Friday by The Gaston Gazette found 41-year-old Patrick Burris was shot three times when he was confronted by officers July 6 in a Gastonia home. The report finds the fatal bullet broke two ribs and punctured Burris' heart before lodging in a kidney. One bullet went through his scalp without hitting his brain and another grazed his thigh.

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Autopsy Report

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Prosecutors cleared the officers last month, saying they feared for their lives after Burris shot at them when they returned to arrest him. One officer shot a bullet that broke the barrel of Burris’ gun.

Authorities say Burris killed five people about 30 miles away in Gaffney, S.C., over six days.

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