DENVER (CBS4) – Police had released the identity of a man who was shot and killed by a police officer on the Auraria campus in downtown Denver early Saturday morning.

The coroner’s office released a statement saying Jeffrey Albert Musick, 38, died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said the Musick was wielding what appeared to be a ninja-type sword on the campus near 9th and Walnut around 6 a.m. when the officer tried to intervene.

(credit: CBS)

“The officer did arrive and at that time did confront the suspect. A confrontation did ensue between the officer and the suspect,” Raquel Lopez with Denver police said.

One of the officer’s fingers was almost severed in the attack. He then shot Musick. The officer was rushed to the hospital where surgery was performed to repair the injury to his hand.

“If somebody’s coming attacking you with a knife or any type of object and they’re not obeying your commands, you’ve got to do whatever you can to protect yourself,” Lopez said.

The officer’s condition hasn’t been released.