A Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy was "forced to use deadly force" Tuesday, killing an 88-year-old man in Florida while conducting a wellness check, police said. The victim, Ronald Ehrich, was armed.

"There is no other way to describe this other than tragic," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This deputy went in to save a life, expecting to find someone experiencing a medical emergency. She made every attempt to deescalate the situation before being forced to fire her weapon for her own safety."

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A neighbor called authorities after noticing the garage door to Ehrich's home had been open for two days, according to the sheriff's department. When Deputy Officer Anastacia Castillo arrived on the scene, she entered the house and tried making contact with Ehrich.

She allegedly encountered Ehrich in a second-floor bedroom, and he brandished a firearm and threatened to shoot, police said.

Castillo was reportedly cornered, and after repeatedly saying she was with the sheriff's office, she shot the victim, according to the department's press release.

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Ehrich was pronounced dead at a hospital. Body camera footage will be released, according to the department.