NEWTON – Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County are investigating a suspect after a Tuesday evening altercation.

Just after 6:30 p.m. Newton Police Officers responded to the 1000 block of North Boyd Avenue on a report of an emotionally disturbed man armed with a knife, according to a report on social media.

When officers tried to contact the man, he ran out of the back of the apartment and was confronted by an officer.

The man refused to follow instructions and took an aggressive stance toward the officer, according to police.

Believing he was still armed with a knife, the officer deployed a less lethal gun, which fires little rubber balls similar to those shown in the photo. It sounds like a lethal firearm but police wanted to assure those who witnessed the incident, it was not.

The man may have suffered bruising but had no permanent injuries, according to police.

Officers also used a taser to safely take the man into custody.

The man, whose name has not been released, was transported to Newton Medical Center for a physical and mental assessment.