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Vigil planned for decorated police officer shot, killed in line of duty in SC

GREENVILLE, S.C. — People are turning the patrol car driven by a fallen Greenville police officer as a shrine.

Dozens of people stopped by police headquarters Saturday and prayed over Officer Allen Jacobs' car or left flowers and other tributes.

Authorities say Jacobs was shot and killed by a 17-year-old self-professed gang member he was questioning about a gun purchase on Friday. The suspect shot and killed himself after shooting Jacobs.

A vigil is planned for Jacobs at his church -- Christ Fellowship in Travelers Rest -- Saturday night.

The 28-year-old officer was an Iraq war veteran and was married with two children with a third on the way.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story)

Officers are still patrolling the streets in a South Carolina community Thursday after a self-proclaimed gang member shot and killed a decorated police officer.

Officer Allen Jacobs was a four and a half year veteran of the Greenville Police Department. Before his time on the police force, he served the United States during the Iraq war.

Jacobs leaves behind a young family and a community still searching for answers.

Jacobs was a father of two with another child on the way.

“Our hearts to go out that family, his wife, children and his parents,” Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said.

Greenville's police chief said Jacobs and other officers simply stopped to talk to Deontae Mackey about a firearm when he took off running behind a house.

“Mr. Mackey fled. We gave pursuit and without demonstrating any force or exacting force, our officer was shot and killed, and then Mr. Mackey took his own life,” Miller said

Mackey reportedly fired, hitting Jacobs multiple times. Miller said Jacobs didn't even draw his weapon.

His body was found with his gun still in his holster.

Mackey apparently had time to shoot and alert someone that he intended to commit suicide.

“Mr. Mackey made a phone call, indicating he was going to take his life and did it,” Chief Miller said.

The shooting leaves the city of Greenville with not only a void but with many questions.

“It’s a sad day for Greenville, sad day for his family and our family in the Greenvile Police Department,” Miller said.

The preliminary investigation shows none of the officers fired their weapons, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is still investigating.

A father of two and a decorated war veteran was killed on Friday in an officer-involved shooting,

ABC affiliate WLOS is reporting

.

A man shot an officer before taking his own life, the Greenville police chief said.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. near the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The trail is currently closed between Woodland Way and the Sliding Rock Creek Trail.

Police say this shooting had ties to a local gang.

The identities of those involved has not yet been released. Channel 9 is working to gather more details about the shooting.

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