Fresno police officers fatally shot a 35-year-old man armed with knives Saturday afternoon after a standoff at an apartment complex, authorities said.

Officers were dispatched about 1:45 p.m. to an apartment near Blythe Avenue and Austin Way following a report of a domestic violence disturbance involving Joseph Merical, the Fresno Police Department said in a statement.

When officers tried to take Merical into custody, police said he barricaded the apartment door, climbed on furniture and armed himself with two large kitchen knives. At one point, he attempted to stab an officer as they partially forced open the door, according to police.

Crisis negotiators and SWAT officers responded, but Merical refused commands over several hours, police said. He told officers he would not return to prison and made obscene gestures at them.

Merical eventually ran out of the apartment with both knives in hand and charged down a staircase at officers in the parking lot, police said.

Officers first fired less-lethal rounds, but when those failed to stop him, lethal force was used.

Merical was struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Two knives were recovered at the scene, according to police.

Got a Tip?

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities asked anyone with information to call Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP or Fresno police homicide Detective M. Yee at (559) 621-2407 or Detective J. Baroni (559) 621-2516.

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