Police shot and killed a man in an apartment complex in Alexandria, Virginia, late Monday night, the Alexandria Police Department said.
Police responded about 10:45 p.m. to a call reporting a man was in mental distress and was armed at 5101 Maris Ave., an apartment complex just off Van Dorn Street.
The person who called emergency services was a coworker of the man. He told police that he had just gotten off the phone with the man who seemed to be in crisis and had at least two guns, police said.
Officers found the man in the front stairwell of the apartment building. After negotiating for more than a half hour, an officer opened fire when the man made a "threatening action," police said.
Neighbors recalled hearing someone say, "Drop the gun" and the sound of at least two gunshots.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. His name was not immediately released.
Neighbors described him as friendly, helpful and an "ideal neighbor." They are asking why the encounter had to end in the way it did.
The regional Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, including whether the man exchanged gunfire with officers.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
