Tulsa cop kills suicidal Hispanic man holding BB gun

A police officer in Tulsa is on paid leave after he reportedly killed a suicidal Hispanic man over the weekend.

Officer Daniel Madewell and other officers were called to an apartment building on Saturday after a resident reported that he had chased the suspect out of his apartment with a knife because the man had been acting suicidal, according to KWTV.

But when police arrived the suspect initially refused to come out and was reportedly starting fires in the apartment.

After two hours, the man emerged on the balcony holding a BB gun. Police said that Madewell was forced to open fire and kill the suspect after he pointed the gun at the officers.

"The rifle appeared to be authentic and had a scope attached," the Tulsa Police Departmentsaid in a statement. "As the suspect pointed the weapon at the officers, one officer fired multiple rounds at the suspect, hitting him at least once. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. When officers approached the suspect it was discovered that the weapon was actually a BB gun.

"The officer feared for his life," Tulsa police spokesperson Leland Ashley told KOKI. "Situations are rapidly evolving and there is a matter of seconds sometimes when an officer has to make a judgment or his or her life could be in danger."

Madewell was placed on routine paid administrative leave pending an investigation. The suspect's name had not been released as of Monday morning.

Watch this video from KWTV, broadcast Feb. 17, 2013.

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