NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) – Police shot and killed a man Friday after he fired a shotgun at officers outside a city elementary school, police said.

The 27-year-old man, whose identity was not released, led police on a lengthy chase after investigators received a 911 call that he had threatened to kill his girlfriend, police spokeswoman Bonnie Winchester said.

The chase ended near when the driver crashed his car near the Columbus School, police said.

“He left the vehicle with a shotgun and opened fire,” Winchester said.

Police said he fired at last three shots. The officers returned fire, killing him.

The school was locked down but nobody else was injured, officials said.

“This is a situation where the officers were left with no other option,” Police Chief Francisco Ortiz said.

New Haven police have been criticized recently as being too quick to use deadly force. Officers were involved in eight shootings last year, two of which resulted in civilian deaths.

But Ortiz said there was no question his officers were justified to fire on the man Friday.

“This person was a threat with no regard for the community. He showed an extreme indifference to human life,” Ortiz said. “Their job is to protect the community and protect themselves. I’m proud of what they did.”

“What happened today reminds everybody that we can talk about training and how to do things better, but (police) face a dangerous job,” said Derek Slapp, spokesman for Mayor John DeStefano. “It’s unfortunate that somebody lost their life but, he’s thankful that a child wasn’t injured.”

State Police investigate all shootings involving municipal officers.