Santa Ana officer shoots, kills man holding fake rifle

An officer with the Santa Ana Police Department shot and killed a man who was believed to be holding a loaded rifle on Sunday evening, officials say.

However, police confirmed the rifle was later identified to be a fake.

According to the department, officers received calls around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday about a man armed with a rifle and loading it in the area of Broadway and 2nd Street.

Then at 6:22 p.m., SAPD issued a notice on X , formerly Twitter, alerting the public to stay clear of police activity in the same area.

Police say an officer came close to the suspect and shot him.

After the shooting took place, officials say the man was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The department identified the suspect as a man in his early 30s, but did not immediately provide a name or known place of residence.

The rifle was then taken in by police, who later identified it to be a fake.

Details are limited, police did not immediately provide further information on what transpired between the officer and suspect before the shooting, or if the suspect was considered dangerous to the public.

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