COVINGTON, Ky. -- A man died in police custody Wednesday after he was electrically shocked during a struggle with officers.

Witnesses Say Covington Police Didn't Harm Deceased Man

Covington police responded shortly after 11 a.m. to Highland Avenue near Jefferson Street, where witnesses reported seeing a man armed with a gun.

Officers said they found a man matching the description, Leroy Hughes, and tried to arrest him, but they said Hughes pulled out a box of ammunition and threw it at them before reaching into his coat as if to get a weapon.

Hughes, 52, who police said was 6 feet 2 inches tall and 370 pounds, was shocked twice with a Taser gun. When the shocks failed to subdue Hughes, officers tackled him and shocked him a third time.

Police said that Hughes was unresponsive after being handcuffed and raised to a seated position, though he was breathing and had a pulse.

Barbara Brown and Megan Poe were watching from their front porch as the incident developed and told WLWT that they could see everything that happened.

Some children from a nearby school -- which was put on lockdown -- could also see the altercation.

"He looked like he was going to hurt somebody. He was going to shoot that officer,” Brown said. "We saw the whole thing happen. They didn't harm him, didn't do anything to him.”

Officers called emergency crews to the scene and Hughes was taken to St. Elizabeth North Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chief Lee Russo said officers acted in accordance with department policies, and three officers were placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.

No additional information was available about the officers. Investigators said Hughes was carrying a 9mm handgun.