A man has been fatally shot by a police officer who was called to assist paramedics at a suburban Chicago apartment building, authorities said.

Des Plaines police said Scott MacDonald, 55, was shot about 7:37 p.m. Wednesday in a hallway. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Before the shooting, officers were advised that MacDonald "was breaking things, possibly having a psychotic breakdown," and may have had access to an ax or machete, the police department said Thursday morning in a release.

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An Illinois police officer shot and killed a man after being called to assist paramedics. (Fox News)

The situation "escalated" when officers encountered MacDonald in the hallway, according to the release. No further details were released.

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The officer who shot MacDonald has been placed on paid administrative leave. The shooting was being investigated by an outside regional task force.