NEW YORK — Police said they shot and killed a 65-year-old man on the Belt Parkway on Thursday after he approached officers with a gun.

The NYPD said an officer just after 4 p.m. stopped a gray Jeep Cherokee that was traveling eastbound on the parkway near the Bay Street exit.

As the officer approached the vehicle, according to police, he sped away. The officer chased after him and moved her unmarked car in front of his Jeep.

He then allegedly rear-ended the officer's car near the Verrazzano Bridge and continued on the parkway.

The officer called for backup and an additional unit pulled the man over. As he exited the Jeep, police said, he grabbed a gun and advanced toward them.

According to NYPD officials, the officers fired their weapons after he did not drop the gun. The man was struck several times and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The man's gun was recovered at the scene.

Police said he had seven prior arrests, mostly for vehicular crimes.

An investigation is ongoing. The man's identity is not confirmed as of this writing.

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