KOUNTZE, Texas - Authorities say an East Texas sheriff's deputy fatally shot a 31-year-old man after he used a knife and a tree limb to threaten the deputy.
The Hardin County Sheriff's Office says Joshua Chase Conner of Kountze was pronounced dead Monday afternoon at the scene.
Sheriff Mark Davis says the unnamed deputy was responding to a 3 p.m. call from someone who reported an assault and car theft by a relative.
Authorities say the deputy was talking to the victim when Conner returned to the home in the stolen car and approached with a knife and tree limb.
Davis says Conner didn't respond to commands to drop the weapons and the deputy was forced to shoot.
The deputy wasn't injured and is on administrative leave amid an investigation by Texas Rangers.