Police arrived at about 11 a.m. at the Villa Chablis complex, 256 E. Helm Ave., to find the man, 39-year-old Ross M. Sullivan, barricaded in his apartment, said South Salt Lake police spokesman Gary Keller. Neighbors reported he had been beating on an outdoor railing with a sword and flinging household items, including a TV, from the fourth-floor balcony, Keller said. Hours after the confrontation, a Christmas tree and a toy Santa Claus still sat in the snow below.

During the 90-minute standoff with police, Sullivan plunged the sword through the door of his apartment, Keller said. He then left the apartment, at which time officers deployed a Taser. However, one of the prongs missed the target and the electrical charge failed, Keller said.

Sullivan quickly retreated back inside, with officers in pursuit.

When officers followed him into the apartment, the man swung his sword at one of them, hitting him in the arm. The sword cut through the officer's jacket but was caught in the fabric, causing blunt-force injury, Keller said.

A second officer fired multiple shots. Keller said Sullivan died at the scene.

The officer who fired the shots and the officer who was injured are on administrative leave pending further investigation.

Keller said the officers did not call a SWAT team to handle the standoff because Sullivan was alone and contained in an apartment with only one exit.