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Suspected purse snatcher shot by Houston police officer

A man is shot and killed after lunging at a police officer with two pairs of scissors.

Around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Houston police department spokesperson Victor Senties says a man on a bicycle snatched a purse from a motorist in the 4900 block of McDermed.

An off duty police officer witnessed the theft and followed the suspect.

Police says the suspect ditched his bike and ran into a neighborhood in the 4900 block of Dumfries where he was situated between two homes.

Officer D. Rivera, responding to a call for backup, was shown where the suspect was by a bystander.

Senties says the man began rummaging through a backpack, tossed a jacket at the officer and lunged at him with two pairs of scissors.

Officer Rivera opened fire, killing the man.

Police say the man may have been homeless.

Officials say the incident will be investigated by HPD internal affairs, HPD homicide division and the District Attorney's Office as is customary in all officer involved shootings.