Nov 17, 2014 2 min read

DAYTON, Ohio – A police officer shot and killed a man who he said pointed a gun at him as he was responding to a 911 hang-up call, police said Monday.

John Smelko, 40, was shot when officers went to his home after receiving the 911 call late Sunday night, Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl said at a news conference. Police said Smelko partially opened the door with one hand concealed and told the officer he had a gun.

Officer Raymond Dine told Smelko to show his hands and drop the gun, before Smelko pointed the weapon at Dine through an opening in the door, according to police. The officer then fired one shot at Smelko, who died at the scene, Biehl said.

Police said a woman was in the home. They believe she may have made the 911 call, Assistant Chief Robert Chabali said after the news conference.

Biehl and Chabali said investigators do not know why Smelko pointed a gun at the officer.

“There is nothing unintentional about what he did,” Biehl said of Smelko.

He said Smelko had to have lifted the gun up to put it through the opening in the door.

“Why he did that, I cannot understand,” he said.

Police said Smelko’s gun was a .357 Magnum revolver that dropped on the porch when he was shot.

Dine and the other officer on the scene have both been placed on paid leave, as is standard following police shootings.

Biehl said police are still investigating and will turn over their results to the Montgomery County prosecutor.