The man shot by Anne Arundel County Police Saturday first threatened them with a realistic looking air rifle, police said.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 1700 block of Chamberlain Court in Crofton. A family member told police that a man, now identified as 21-year-old Dallas Michael Ruff, sent messages threatening to harm himself and his family, police said.

When officers arrived, they saw Ruff’s mother’s car in the driveway and attempted to make contact with anybody in the house by knocking on windows and doors and announcing their presence, police said. When they got no response, they decided to forcibly enter the home out of fear that Ruff’s mother may have been harmed.

When they entered the home, officers saw Ruff at the top of the stairs, who then aimed what looked like a rifle at them. Police then shot Ruff in the abdomen. Further investigation revealed Ruff was actually carrying a realistic looking air rifle. His injuries landed him in the hospital, where he is now in stable condition.

While attempting to remove Ruff’s shirt with a pocketknife so he could perform lifesaving aid, the lieutenant who shot him accidentally cut himself and wound up in the hospital as well.

No one else was hurt.

Ruff has been charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

Police said they have been to this residence for past incidents. The officer who shot Ruff is on routine paid administrative leave.

Police stressed that individuals use their air guns responsibly, as it’s possible for police and others to think they are an actual firearm.