The Denver police officer who shot and killed a man brandishing a knife Tuesday has been placed on administrative leave, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
The officer, whose name has not been released, will remain on leave for an unspecified amount of time.
On Tuesday, Denver Police Chief Robert White said the department received reports of a man brandishing a knife in the area about 11:23 a.m. Responding officers tried to get the man to stop, eventually firing pepper balls and a Taser.
White said the man then began waving the knife at police. One officer fired several shots, striking the man.
Jackson said the man was transported to a hospital, where he died.
The suspect was identified Wednesday afternoon as 63-year-old Jack Snyder, also known as J. Marie Tuck.
Jackson said it is standard protocol for police in officer-involved shootings to be placed on leave, as it gives the officers time to clear their heads and prepare themselves for duty again.
Leave time is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Tuesday’s shooting was witnessed by a large number of people, many of whom were bused from the neighborhood to be interviewed.
