Suspect who ran toward police with hammer fatally shot by officers at Meux Home in downtown Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have identified the man who was fatally shot by police officers in downtown Fresno on Thursday afternoon as 34-year-old Edgar Morfin Mendoza.

Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama said two officers responded to the Meux Home Museum on Tulare and R Street just after 12:30 pm for reports of a suspicious man pacing in front of the museum.

When they arrived, they found the museum had several windows smashed, and the front door had been pried open.

Chief Balderrama said Mendoza walked out of the building and did not comply with the officers' commands.

The chief said he yelled frantically at both officers, and at one point, an officer tried to use a taser, but he pulled off the electric prongs.

Balderrama said Mendoza grabbed what appeared to be a hammer and started sprinting toward the officers.

That's when both officers fired their weapons.

Mendoza died from his injuries.

Police spent an hour searching the rest of the building to see if there was a second suspect, but the museum was clear.

Balderrama said the museum had been closed for the season.

Both officers that fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues in accordance with the department policy.