A 13-year-old boy has been shot dead by United States police investigating a robbery after he drew what turned out to be a low-powered air gun.

Key points: Columbus Police said teenager was part of a gang involved in an armed robbery

Columbus Police said teenager was part of a gang involved in an armed robbery Police chief said air gun looked "practically identical" to lethal police weapon

Police chief said air gun looked "practically identical" to lethal police weapon Incident is the 13th police shooting in Columbus this year

The Columbus Police Department in Ohio said it was investigating the death of Tyree King.

The teenager was shot several times after he pulled out a BB gun, which fires shot pellets, during a confrontation with police in an alley.

It is the latest in a series of shootings of African Americans by law enforcement officers that have fueled protests and national debate about policing tactics in US cities.

Officials said it was the 13th police shooting in Columbus this year, with five suspects killed and one police officer.

A police statement said officers were sent after a report of an armed robbery involving several suspects, one of whom had a gun.

The officers spotted three males who fitted the suspects' description, but two of them fled as the officers approached.

The statement said the officers followed the two to an alleyway "and attempted to take them into custody when one suspect pulled a gun from his waistband".

"One of the officers shot and struck the suspect multiple times," the statement said.

"Crime Search Unit detectives processed the shooting scene and collected what appeared to be a handgun," police said.

"Upon further inspection, it was determined to be a BB gun with an attached laser sight."

BB guns have small ball munitions, typically made of steel with copper or zinc coating.

"Officers carry a gun that looks practically identical to this weapon," police chief Kim Jacobs said at a news conference.

"It turned out to not be a firearm... that fires real bullets. But as you can see, it looks like a firearm that could kill you."

Mayor Andrew Ginther said the incident was a "call to action for our entire community."

"Why is it that a 13-year-old would have nearly an exact replica of a police firearm on him in our neighbourhoods? An eighth grader involved in a very, very dangerous conduct," Mr Ginther said.

Mr Jacobs urged calm, promising to investigate the case "thoroughly", and said a grand jury would decide whether criminal charges should be filed against the police officer who shot the boy dead.

The officer was identified as Bryan Mason, a white, nine-year veteran of the department who had recently been assigned to the neighbourhood where the incident took place.

He has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The police involved in the incident were not equipped with body cameras and no images of the confrontation have yet to emerge.

"Some of the officers on the scene were very disturbed [because of the boy's age]," Mr Jacobs said.

AFP