SAN DIEGO — A man appearing to be suicidal ended up getting shot and killed by San Diego police officers after he refused to drop a handgun he was holding, said the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Lt. Kevin Ralph from the sheriff’s department told reporters on scene that the incident began as a call about a suicidal suspect holding a gun to his head at the 4200 block of Central Avenue before 1 p.m. Thursday.

When officers arrived they found the man, who then ran through an alleyway behind the 4000 block of 42nd Street, Ralph said. There he put the gun to his head and asked the officers to shoot him.

At that time, officers did not shoot the man, but he continued to run northbound through the alley. When the man arrived at the 4200 block of 42nd Street, Ralph said SDPD ordered him to drop the gun.

After not complying with instructions, officers shot off a less-lethal bean bag, hitting the man and causing him to fall to the ground, said the sheriff’s department.

Three San Diego police officers then fired more than one shot at the man after he got back up from the ground while holding the gun, according to Ralph.

First aid was rendered to him and medics arrived on the scene, but he later died.

The officers involved in the shooting will not be named for the foreseeable future, and the name of the man killed hasn’t been identified.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is still trying to figure out what type of handgun the man was holding, but they think it might be a replica gun or a BB gun.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit their website.