Sheriff's deputies were called to the area of Saratoga and McFarland avenues at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a distressed male and possible attempted suicide, sheriff's Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said.
Units from the Santa Clara Fire Department and county Emergency Medical Services were also dispatched and arrived at the scene before deputies to see the suspect standing on McFarland Avenue, Stenderup said.
When deputies and fire personnel attempted to talk to him, he suddenly became agitated, pulled out a blunt object and hit one of the deputies with it, according to Stenderup.
Fearing for his life, the deputy pulled his firearm and shot the male once in the chest, deputies said.
The wounded male continued to be aggressive and deputies had to restrain him before medical personnel could begin to treat him at the scene, Stenderup said.
He was then transported to a hospital where he later died, according to the sheriff's office. Two deputies were treated for injuries suffered during the confrontation and released.
The deputies and fire and EMS employees who were at the scene of the shooting were interviewed by the sheriff's office, and the district attorney's office is also monitoring the investigation, Stenderup said.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone who may have witnessed the altercation and shooting to contact its homicide investigators at (408) 808-4431.