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Man shot by Portsmouth police officer after encounter, Virginia State Police launch investigation

He brandished the object at one of the officers, which started an encounter that ended with the officer shooting the man, according to Portsmouth Police.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Virginia State Police launched an investigation after a Portsmouth Police officer shot a man Sunday morning. 

According to a news release, police got a call to respond to the 2300 block of Greenwood Drive shortly before 11:30 a.m. 

When they arrived, they found a man who had a sharp object. 

Portsmouth Police haven't specified exactly what the object was.

He brandished the object at one of the officers, which started an encounter that ended with the officer shooting the man, said police. 

The man was seriously injured, and he was taken to the hospital. 

His name and condition aren't known at this time. 

In a cell phone video supplied by a witness, you can hear the officer commanding the man to drop the object he's holding in his hand. 

“What was the point of shooting him like five times," said a witness who wants to remain anonymous. 

Portsmouth resident Jon Rey said the officer tried to use a Taser on the man first, but that it was apparently ineffective. 

Rey said the man told the officer, "Do it again. It's not going to phase me at all."  

Rey lives nearby and said he saw the man in the neighborhood moments before police arrived.

“Just walking through the yard and he had a box and a grill, and I thought he was going to cross the street. And I slowed down, and he threw it in front of my car. So I go around him, and I could tell something was off," said Rey. 

As the cell phone video continues, the officer drew his gun and again told the man to drop the object several times before eventually shooting the man. 

Five shots can be heard in the video recording. 

Theresa Lucas grew up in Portsmouth. 

Lucas said she was visiting a friend when she saw Virginia State Police in the area.  

“It's all together disheartening. It is very sad," said Lucas. 

Virginia State Police will investigate the shooting. 

There was no information provided about the man who was shot or what might have led him to behave the way he did.

If you have any information that can help, contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit an anonymous online tip here.

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