Story highlights 28-year-old Officer Allen Jacobs is shot multiple times

Suspect Deonte Mackey was an admitted gang member, the police chief says

Police were trying to interview Mackey before he fled

(CNN) A police officer in Greenville, South Carolina, was fatally shot Friday after attempting to interview a "self-admitted" gang member who fled and later killed himself, the police chief said.

As officers approached the man, Deontea Mackey, 17, to interview him about a weapon purchase, he ran, Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said.

Miller initially said officers were serving a warrant but he later corrected himself.

Mackey led officers on a brief chase and took cover behind a home, where he opened fire, Miller said.

Officer Allen Jacobs, 28, was struck multiple times.

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