LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles County authorities say sheriff”s deputies shot and killed a man who fired at them with weapons that turned out to be airsoft pellet guns.

Deputy Kelvin Moody says the deputies opened fire Monday because they believed the weapons were real and they feared for their lives.

The man”s family members called authorities to report that he was under the influence of drugs and causing a disturbance in the West Valinda area.

Moody says the deputies returned fire as the man climbed out a back window of the home carrying the guns and shot at them.

The suspect was struck several times in the upper body and died at the scene.

It was determined his weapons were airsoft guns, which fire plastic pellets.

The shooting is under investigation.