A man is dead after being shot to death by Shafter police near Golden Oak Elementary School, after they say he approached officers with a knife.

Deputy Chief Brian Smith says three officers are on paid leave after the shooting, which happened at around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

“The Shafter officers involved in this incident were Sgt. Gustavo Olvera, Senior Officer Alecio Mora, and Officer Anthony Erwin,” he said.

The school near at West Lerdo Highway and South Wall Street was briefly locked down because of the incident.

The man’s name has not been released.

– Anthony Pollreisz