Police shoot a man with a rifle in Asheville

According to Asheville police, police shot and killed a man in Asheville on Monday who was pointing a rifle at police officers and others.

The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. on Chatham Road near Merrimon Avenue, police said.

According to police, several people called and reported a man who pointed a gun at them and also attacked a contract worker for the city of Asheville with a shovel.

“Officers arrived and ordered the man to drop his weapon, but he refused. The man pointed his rifle at officers and an officer-involved shootout ensued,” police said.

The man barricaded himself in his house, where he was later found dead, police said.

The State Bureau of Investigations is investigating.

The public is asked to avoid the area while the investigation continues. Police have not released the man's name.