The State Police have released a preliminary statement about the fatal shooting of a Russellville man by police.

Russellville Police have requested the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division to investigate an officer involved shooting incident that occurred Friday afternoon when local officers responded to a call at 412 West I Street.

A resident at the home reportedly met police at the front porch of the home brandishing a pistol which he aimed at the officers as they approached the residence.

One police officer fired his service weapon and wounded the man.

The individual died after he was transported from the shooting scene to a Russellville hospital.

The identity of the gunshot victim is being withheld at this hour while next of kin are located.

Police had been to the same home earlier on two occasions Friday. The second call was precipitated by a report from a resident that someone had fired a gunshot into a window of the home.

The third call, which led to police being dispatched to the residence prior to the officer involved shooting, came from a Crisis Hotline service reporting police assistance may be needed at the residence.

Special Agents of the State Police, Criminal Investigation Division, Company E, will continue their investigation of the shooting death and file an investigative report with the county prosecuting attorney.

Inquiries with regard to the identities of the local police officers present at the time of the shooting or their administrative status should be directed to the Russellville Police Department.

UPDATE: State Police have identified the man killed as Walter Hirsch, 54, of Russellville.

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