Phoenix cop shoots "impaired" man dead for allegedly throwing rocks, reports say

A police officer in Phoenix shot a man dead after he allegedly threw rocks at him and another officer, according to an NBC News report.

A local ABC affiliate reported that the victim was "impaired" at the time.  Relatives also say he had been making "suicidal statements."

On Saturday morning, a police spokesperson said Lonnie Niesen, 41, allegedly threw an "object" at a police officer's car at a stop light outside of a precinct headquarters.

The officer called for backup, and followed Niesen into a nearby parking lot, where, according to the police, the impaired man threw rocks at the precinct building.

Niesen reportedly cracked the glass on the front door of the building with a rock. ABC reported that Niesen then threw another rock at a tree, which bounced off and hit a police officer in the hand. The officer responded by opening fire, striking Niesen.

He was taken to a hospital where he died.

The two police officers involved in the killing will be placed on paid administration leave as the department says it will investigate the incident.