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Man dies after being shot by Clearwater police officers

Clearwater police said they demanded Bryan Wallace to stop reaching for his gun. When he continued, two officers fired their weapons.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A 39-year-old man died from his injuries after Clearwater police say its officers were forced to shoot him for their protection

Officers were called around 6:30 p.m. Saturday to the area of N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and LaSalle Street upon a report of a man waving his gun toward a crowd. They responded but did not come across a suspect.

The man, identified as 39-year-old Bryan Bernard Wallace, was spotted a little more than a half-hour later by two officers, according to a news release.

Police said a gun fell from Wallace's waistband, and they ordered him to not pick it up despite him reaching down.

"In fear for their own safety and the safety of others in the area, the two officers then fired their weapons," police said. 

Wallace died after being taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Officers Justin Buis and Michael Diaz, both of whom have been with the department for a year, are placed on administrative leave.

An investigation is ongoing.

Editor's note: Clearwater police on Saturday said the suspect was 20 years old, then revised it to 40. They have since corrected his age.

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