DES MOINES, Iowa — Police say the 70-year-old man shot and killed by Des Moines police officers Tuesday morning was armed with a pellet gun.

Des Moines Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers responded to 430 Grand Avenue around 6:07 a.m. after receiving a 911 call that a man with a gun was pointing it at a woman.

When officers arrived, they saw the suspect and one other person inside the lobby of the building. Through the window, officers could see the suspect was holding a pistol in his hand. The suspect raised the pistol and pointed it in the direction of the officers, who fired at him.

Police reported the shooting happened around 6:12 a.m.

The man who was shot was pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt. Parizek said he was a resident of the apartment building where the shooting happened.

The investigation later determined the pistol was a pellet gun. According to police, the pellet gun did not have the orange-colored safety cone attached to it like it typically would have.

The two Des Moines police officers who fired their weapons in the incident have been placed on paid administrative assignment, which is department policy following an on-duty critical or traumatic incident. Sgt. Parizek said one of the officers is a 25-year-old who has four years of law enforcement experience and has been with DMPD since 2022. The other officer is 24-years-old and has been with DMPD since 2022.

Professional mental health resources and peer support are being provided for all DMPD employees impacted by the incident.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and more information will be released when made available.