A BLACK dad-of-10 was reportedly shot dead by a cop who was trying to serve him a search warrant on Wednesday.

Andrew Brown Jr, 40, was killed after entering his vehicle and beginning to leave his residence while authorities were at his home, according to reports.

Locals reported hearing between six to eight shots at around 8.30am in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the deputy opened fire.

"It's been a tragic day," Sheriff Tommy Wooten said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Little detail was offered on the incident but Wooten did confirm the officer was wearing an active body cam at the time of the incident.

The officer has not been identified but has been placed on administrative leave.

Brown's relatives have insisted he was unarmed and did not hurt anyone during the incident.

An emergency city council meeting has been called for 6pm.

"During the execution of the search warrant, a citizen who was subject to the search warrant was shot and fatally wounded," the Sheriff's department earlier said in a statement.

The dad's body was taken out of his vehicle and placed inside a blue tent – where it remained for several hours after the shooting.

The scene drew a large crowd of angry protestors as well as gaining widespread attention on social media, after multiple live stream videos were shared of the outrage.

"The sheriff needs to address these people," Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County NAACP, told local news station WAVY.

"In light of everything that’s going on in America with the shooting of unarmed black men, I came down to make sure that the facts are clearly disseminated."

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is heading the probe into Brown's death. 

The shocking shooting has been compared to the death of Daunte Wright, who was killed by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop just over a week ago.

It also comes just a day after former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts of murdering George Floyd.

Just minutes ahead of the verdict, 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant was shot and killed by an officer in Columbus, Ohio, during a confrontation between two other women with a knife.

The graphic bodycam footage of the shooting was released by officials, showing the white cop, who was identified as Nicholas Reardon, open fire on the youngster.

The Elizabeth City incident is the latest in a long line of police shootings involving black victims.

"The last time I saw my cousin in October, we talked more than we ever have. Lots of laughs. Now I know why. R.I.P. Jr," one of the dad-of-10's relatives, Jadine Hampton, wrote on social media.

Another post believed to be written by Brown's cousin read: "I can't believe this … You see stuff like this on TV but I never thought it would happen in my own family R.I.P cousin Andrew Brown. U just messaged me last week.. this is crazy."

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