New Orleans Police officers responded Saturday morning to reports of an armed man near St. Louis and Bourbon Streets, according to nola.com.
Authorities say the man "had been pointing a gun at people in the French Quarter."
When officers arrived, an "exchange of gunfire" began and the armed man was hit in the chest.
Three police officers fired at the man; none of the officers were injured.
The man was critically injured and was in surgery at University Medical Center in New Orleans.
The four officers who responded have been reassigned in NOPD, which is standard practice.
A man drinking coffee on the balcony of his nearby hotel says he heard at least 20 shots ring out, quickly followed by a heavy police presence.
"It's an unfortunate incident when officers have to resort to using their weapons," said NOPD Supt. Shaun Ferguson. "We're praying for the family of this individual and our officers."
