CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Charlottesville Police Department says a man is dead after he pointed a gun at officers in broad daylight near Hydraulic Road and the Route 250 Bypass Tuesday afternoon.

An Albemarle County Police detective spotted a wanted man around 10:05 a.m. Tuesday.

The incident erupted with what witnesses say was a lot of shots fired.

"I never expected to come outside and see this," said one area resident who asked to not be identified.

A swarm of officers in tactical gear were trying to arrest a wanted suspect who was spotted in the area of the Red Roof Inn, near the intersection of Hydraulic Road and the Route 250 Bypass.

"I came out my backyard and it was like 20 police officers," said the witness who says he was terrified by what was happening in his neighborhood. "I'm not going to lie, I thought I was going to get shot. Because the way police were talking, they were talking like he was shooting at people for no reason."

The suspect, 44-year-old Billy Sites of Albemarle County, took off running into the woods between the hotel and Hydraulic Road.

CPD Chief Michael Kochis says Sites reportedly fired a gun after officers tried to engage with him.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we put a lock-down in the area,” Kochis said.

Kochis says that's when CPD asked for assistance from the Albemarle County Police Department's Tactical Team.

After negotiations broke down, Kochis says Sites went toward the hotel's parking lot, where there were people nearby.

He says ACPD officers tried to use what he called "less lethal" options but were unsuccessful in stopping Sites.

Kochis says Sites then went toward the Albemarle officers and pointed his gun at them. Tactical officers fired their weapons, hitting Sites several times.

"The suspect was taken to UVA Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injures,” said Kochis.

CPD said that this is an ongoing investigation, and the Virginia State Police is taking over that investigation, per standard procedure.

Hydraulic Road reopened around 4:30 p.m. The eastbound lanes of the 250 Bypass were expected to remain closed through the evening commute. 

The bypass has since reopened as well.