A Wayne County sheriff's deputy fired at a man who authorities said pointed a pistol at the deputy outside the Newark Police Department on Sunday, but no one was hit and the weapon was later determined to be a BB gun.
The deputy has been placed on administrative leave while the Wayne County Sheriff's Office reviews whether the response followed department policies, procedures, training and applicable law.
The incident began at about 5:23 p.m. Aug. 23 when an intoxicated man entered the Newark Police Department lobby at 100 E. Miller St., according to a joint release from the sheriff's office and Newark police.
Authorities said the man produced what appeared to be a pistol after he was asked how officers could help him. He complained about an earlier incident that he believed involved Newark police officers, then held the gun to his head after officers asked him to put it down.
The man left the station while still carrying the weapon. An arriving sheriff's deputy repeatedly ordered him to drop it, but authorities said the man instead pointed it at the deputy.
The deputy fired a service weapon, and the man eventually complied with the deputy's orders. Authorities said the man was not struck or injured by the gunfire.
The man was taken into custody and is being held at an undisclosed hospital under the state Mental Hygiene Law. His name has not been released.
The investigation into the man's actions remains open, and authorities said criminal charges are pending after his release from the hospital.
Sheriff Milby said the deputy's administrative leave is a non-disciplinary measure and does not represent a finding of wrongdoing. The deputy's name was not included in the release.
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