US: Police kill man armed with machete at University of Colorado

Watch What Else Is Making News

Two officers, one from the university and one from the city, fired shots after confronting the man in a stairwell and ordering him to drop the weapon.

“He refused and it was at that time for public safety that shots were fired,” Pribble said.

An investigation was underway to determine more details.

Melissa Zak, chief of university police, said she believes the officers faced a life-threatening situation, and it would be unfair to second guess their decision to open fire.

She declined to say if the suspect was a student, had a criminal history or mental health problems.

Hours after the shooting, police responded to a report of an active shooter at the student union and concluded it was false.

The sports complex and University Memorial Center, home of the campus bookstore and cafeteria, were closed as police investigated both events.

In both instances, the university sent text alerts to students, faculty and staffers telling them to take protective action, but classes continued.

Since those groups are spread across campus or may not even be there, authorities said they leave it to people to decide for themselves how to best respond to possible threats.