A suspect in a narcotics investigation was pronounced dead this evening after an Ithaca Police Department officer discharged his weapon, believing another officer was in danger, according to a statement from the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office.

At approximately 5 p.m., officers approached a parked vehicle outside of Pete's Grocery on West Buffalo Street in connection to a narcotics investigation. Officers approached the vehicle and identified themselves as police officers and tried to take the operator of the vehicle into custody, according to the statement.

The operator physically resisted arrest and then drove over the curb, striking a police officer. The officer fell to the ground in the path of the vehicle. An Ithaca Police officer then discharged his weapon, believing the fallen officer was in danger.

The suspect was transported to Cayuga Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to the statement.

The incident is under investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Major Crimes Unit, under the auspices of the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, according to the statement.