CRANSTON — A man who apparently was attempting suicide was shot by the police Thursday after he charged at an officer with a weapon, Police Chief Col. Stephen McGrath said yesterday.

McGrath said that the police were called to an apartment in a five-story building at 28 Harris Ave. after the Fire Department responded to reports of a man who had tried to kill himself.

When the first officer arrived shortly before 5 p.m., McGrath said, he found Keith Olin, 44, bleeding and brandishing a weapon. McGrath declined to identify the weapon, citing the fact that the case is under investigation by local and state agencies.

He also refused to identify the officer, saying that the matter might go before a grand jury.

According to McGrath, Olin lives on Bain Street but had gone to visit a friend who lives nearby in apartment 229 at the Harris Avenue building known as Harris House. The building has long provided affordable housing in a Cranston Street area with a large percentage of subsidized apartments.

McGrath said as the officer entered the apartment, Olin came at him with a weapon. The officer gave repeated verbal commands for Olin to drop the weapon, but he did not comply, the chief said.

“He came at the officer with a weapon and that’s what led to the use of deadly force,” McGrath said.

He said that the officer was carrying a department-issued .40 caliber Glock handgun.

Olin was taken by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital where he was listed in critical condition in the intensive-care unit of the trauma center last night.

McGrath said that the incident is being investigated by the attorney general’s office, state police and Cranston police and could be sent to a grand jury.

In accordance with Cranston Police Department rules and regulations, the officer will be placed on administrative duty until the matter is resolved, McGrath said.

bpoliche@projo.com