A man was shot and killed by police in Old Louisville on Saturday afternoon, Chief Steve Conrad of the Louisville Metro Police Department said.
Police say the man was shot near Fourth and Oak Streets. Conrad told reporters that the man swung a metal flag pole at the officer, who fired two shots at the man.
Conrad stressed the preliminary nature of the information, saying, "The facts may change."
Dispatchers say the shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday following an initial report of an assault. Conrad said the officer was dispatched to the area on a report of a woman being attacked. When the officer arrived, he saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the assault.
Conrad said the officer spoke with the man briefly before the man grabbed the flag pole and advanced toward the officer. The officer retreated and yelled at the man before firing, Conrad said.
The man, described as an African male apparently in his 30s, was taken to University of Louisville Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Conrad did not mention the condition of the woman who was reportedly assaulted. The chief declined to answer any questions after addressing news crews.
The LMPD's Public Integrity Unit is investigating the incident, which is standard in officer-involved shootings, Conrad said. The officer, who was not injured, will be placed on administrative leave as the incident is investigated.