Police marksman in Liverpool have shot dead a man who was reported running amok in a street armed with a sword.
Mr Andrew Kernan (37) was seen in an "extremely agitated and violent state" in Wellington Grove, Wavertree, Merseyside police said.
Mr Kernan, thought to be a single man who lived with his mother, was shot twice in the chest and died at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Police said they were called to Wellington Grove by family members and a psychiatric team, requesting help in dealing with Mr Kernan, who was in "an agitated and distressed condition".
Assistant Chief Constable Mike Tonge said: "Officers attended the scene in Wellington Grove and tried to defuse the situation and build up a rapport with 37-year-old Andrew Kernan. Efforts to do this failed and he left the premises armed with a sword.
"Further attempts were made to defuse the situation, with the use of CS incapacitant spray, which again proved unsuccessful.
"Mr Kernan continued to cause serious risk to the public and police officer safety, which ultimately led to the discharge of a firearm to ensure public safety.
"Clearly the use of a firearm in this situation is a difficult operational decision, but one which has to be balanced on the risks posed to members of the public and police officers summoned to deal with this difficult situation.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to those touched by this incident, particularly Mr Kernan's family."
An independent inquiry into the incident is to be supervised by Greater Manchester Police.
PA