Houston's police chief says he has asked the FBI to help investigate the fatal shooting of a wheelchair-bound double amputee by an officer at a group home.

A Houston police officer  fatally shot a one-armed, one-legged man as he waved a metal object that turned out to be a pen.

Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva says Brian Claunch cornered the officer early Saturday inside a group home after police were called there to check on a disturbance.

 Brian Claunch

Silva says an Claunch was making threats while trying to stab the officer with the pen. She says the officer did not know what the metal object was at the time.

Silva says the man came "within inches to a foot" of the officer and did not follow instructions to calm down and remain still.

The office, Matthew Marin, has been placed on standard administrative leave.

Meanwhile Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr. issued this statement:

"The Houston Police Department places the highest value on human life and events like these are tragic and unfortunate for everyone involved.  All Houston Police Officers receive mandatory crisis intervention training specifically dealing with persons experiencing mental crisis.  As we do in all instances of this nature, the Houston Police Department’s Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, and the Harris County District Attorneys Office, Civil Rights Division, are investigating this incident.

In addition, I have also asked the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor and investigate this incident.  As I have done throughout my tenure as Police Chief, to the extent I can, the Houston Police Department will be open and transparent in all aspects of our response to this tragic event.  

It is my desire to have everyone reserve judgment until all the facts and evidence in this investigation have been gathered."