This is the dramatic moment a suspect gets shot and killed by police officers who they believed was armed with a knife following a foot chase across town.

Body-worn footage captured the incident which reportedly occurred in Bakersfield, in the US State of California on 18th March.

Officers had responded to a report of a man armed with a knife behaving erratically in a car park on the 1500 block of White Lane.

The man was also allegedly trying to set his own trousers on fire.

After locating the man, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect.

The man was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

BPD reported that a screwdriver was found at the scene – which was was apparently mistaken for a knife.

The officer who fired the shots was placed on paid administrative leave.

The investigation is ongoing.