US cop placed on leave after fatally shooting man who charged at him with a flagpole

Another US police officer is under scrutiny after he fatally shot a black man who charged at the cop with a flagpole in broad daylight.

CCTV footage shows Kentucky officer Nathan Blanford pulled his police car over when he noticed wanted assault suspect Deng Manyoun on a sidewalk in downtown Louisville.

He got out of the car and spoke to Manyoun, who appeared intoxicated, before the man disappeared off camera.

Manyoun then charged him with a flagpole and was shot by Blanford, with the force of the impact breaking the flagpole in half.

He stood up briefly with the flagpole still in his hands before he collapsed to the ground.

Blanford has been placed on administrative leave as the public discussion focuses on whether he was justified in firing two bullets into Manyoun’s chest, reported The Washington Post.

Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad told reporters he believed Blanford had acted in self-defence and believed his life was in danger.

“I don’t think the officer had an opportunity to transition to a less lethal option,” he said.