MODESTO, Calif.  —  A man wielding a samurai sword has been shot and killed by a police officer in downtown Modesto.

Modesto police spokesman Sgt. Brian Findlen says a 44-year old man was seen brandishing the two- to three-foot long sword outside a Doubletree Hotel shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday.

Findlen says a police officer was sent to the scene but it was not immediately clear what led him to shoot the man.

The man, who was not immediately identified by police, was taken to the hospital. He died about an hour later.

Findlen says the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave.