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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The SBI is investigating the fatal shooting of a UNC Chapel Hill student by a police officer in Randolph County Sunday morning.

Archdale police say Courtland Smith, a junior at UNC, was killed after a confrontation with officers. Police say an officer made a traffic stop right before 5 a.m. along Interstate 85 after they got a call from a man who asked for police help and said he was suicidal.

"Once the vehicle came to a stop, a confrontation ensued between the subject and Archdale officers and an Archdale police officer shot the subject," said Chief Darrell Gibbs.

Gibbs also explained that officers are trained to react quickly in tense situations.

"People don't realize it's a very difficult and very stressful situation to be in. You have a split second to make a decision," Gibbs said. "People have a lot of time to sit around and criticize and say what they would have done, but you've got to be there."

A flower arrangement memorializing Courtland Smith hangs on the doorway of the DKE fraternity house.

Smith, a native of Texas, was the president of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He was pronounced dead at High Point Regional Hospital.

Members of the fraternity released a statement Monday afternoon.

"We are heartsick at the loss of our brother Courtland Smith. Along with his parents, we are grieving deeply over this tragedy. He was a good friend and leader at the DKE house," the statement read. "Alumni and house representatives of the fraternity will stay in touch with the University."

Members of other fraternities say they also feel the loss.

"No one knows a whole lot, but the news is shocking enough to make everyone sad," said Jayce Walker, a member of UNC's Sigma Nu chapter and a sophomore at the university. "I didn't know him that well, but anyone who's an outstanding member at Carolina and contributes to the Carolina experience is going to be a loss for everyone, so we're all pretty saddened by it."

Walker said members of all fraternities and sororities are joined together in the Greek family.

"Each Greek member, whether it's fraternity or sorority, wants to stick by each other," he added. "We're all a community. We have these separate names, but we're all a big cohesive organization, so to lose someone, especially someone who's the president of another great fraternity is a huge loss."

In an e-mail sent to all UNC students Monday, Chancellor Holden Thorp said, "There is nothing worse than losing a young person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they grieve and cope with such a great loss."

Thorp also said grief counselors would be available for students who want to talk about Smith's death.

The shooting is now under investigation by the SBI.