COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - A Dollar General store manager was shot and killed Tuesday morning in Columbus, and the suspect was later killed after police said he opened fire on officers and a K-9 at a separate scene.

Investigators said 44-year-old Alexis Hill was shot and killed at the Dollar General on Victory Drive just after 10 a.m. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan pronounced Hill dead around 10:45 a.m.

Bryan said a man came into the store to buy hamburger buns for $1.58 and handed Hill two crumpled $1 bills. As Hill straightened the cash, Bryan said the customer stepped to the side, pulled out a gun and shot her.

A friend of Hill described her as someone who was “sweet” and “positive.” We spoke to her off camera Tuesday at the scene. She says Hill was the god-mother of her child.

“She’d make you laugh. She loved that job, and she worked her entire butt off for that job,” the friend said.

Police said the gunman ran from the store. A short time later, officers tracked him to a second scene near Baker Plaza Drive.

At that scene, Columbus police said the suspect shot an officer and a K-9. Officers returned fire, killing him.

The coroner identified the suspect as 33-year-old Jerome Willis.

Police said the injured officer has been treated and is expected to make a full recovery. The K-9, Havoc, is in stable condition, but will require surgery.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the officer-involved shooting. Officials said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Police have not released any history or possible motive for Willis.

Family asks for privacy

Hill’s family is asking for respect and privacy. She was the mother of three boys.

In a statement, Hill’s brother, Johnathan Willis, said the family is mourning the sudden death of “a beloved sister, friend, and loved one.”.

Willis also asked people not to copy, repost, download, edit, monetize or use Hill’s photos, name, likeness, videos or personal information without permission from the immediate family or the legal representative of her estate.

To learn more on how to help, click here for the fundraising link created by family.

He said the family does not consent to anyone using Hill’s image or story for attention, fundraising, promotion, business purposes, social media traffic or exploitation.

Willis asked people who see suspicious posts, fake donation pages, altered images, disrespectful content or people using Hill’s death for gain to screenshot it and send it directly to the family before engaging with it.

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