ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting in downtown Orlando Monday morning where a man was killed. 

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said officers shot the man during a proactive patrol stop when they believed he was reaching for a gun.

The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. near Jefferson Street and North Orange Avenue. Police officers stopped a man they believed was involved in drug activity.

“This has been a hotspot for criminal activity where we have seized a lot of guns over the last several months,” said Smith.

After refusing to follow commands from the officers, they said he appeared to reach for something, prompting officers to shoot.

Smith said the man was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

He also said officers found drugs on the man but have not recovered a weapon.

The police department identified the suspect as a 26-year-old Hispanic man named Derek Diaz. Smith also did not say if there was anyone else in the vehicle.

“Downtown (has) always been very challenging, just because of the large amount of people. ... I think we’re doing the best we can. There’s always more you can do. We have a lot of officers down there to keep everyone safe. We’ve been doing a pretty good job so far,” Smith said.

While Smith has reviewed the body camera footage, they have not released the video yet.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is pending. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an independent review of the shooting, followed by the State Attorney’s Office.

The OPD is conducting its own investigation into the shooting.

Frequent shootings in downtown Orlando, like one last July where multiple people were injured, led the city to implement new safety initiatives, including mandatory metal detectors at downtown bars.