Police say an employee at a Lowe's home improvement store in Alabama has killed himself inside the outlet.

Anniston Police Chief Shane Denham said Monday the man, Steven Spoon, shot himself inside his office.

Spoon was allegedly a manager at the store and had a meeting Monday, during which he was going to be terminated.

A Lowe's in Anniston, Alabama was shut down on Monday when a man showed up to the store with a gun

The man, a manager named Steven Spoon, barricaded himself in his office for hours before killing himself

Police were called to the Anniston store Monday morning just after 9am following of a report of a man with a gun who was threatening to harm himself.

The store was cleared while cops swept in to secure the location.

Denham says crisis negotiators spoke with Spoon for several hours in hopes of a peaceful resolution before he shot himself just after noon, while cops were taking a break.

Spoon was supposed to have a meeting on Monday to discuss his termination

Spoon leaves behind a wife, who was at the scene, and kids. No one else was injured during the tense three-hour situation

No other employees, shoppers or bystanders were harmed.

'It's absolutely how we did not want this to end,' Denham said.

Lowe's corporate offices released this statement:

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Spoon’s family, as well as the employees at our North Anniston store. Lowe’s has extensive safety measures in place that were followed to quickly evacuate the store. We are focused on providing support for employees impacted by this tragedy, including providing grief counselors onsite. The store will remain closed today and plans to reopen Tuesday. Out of respect for the family, we are referring additional questions to law enforcement.'

Spoon leaves behind a wife, who was at the scene, and children.

• For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here

• For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here