OAKLAND -- An Oakland police officer shot and killed an armed suspect on a busy intersection on Martin Luther King Jr. Way near Children's Hospital Oakland early Thursday night.

Oakland Police Department Spokesman Roland Holmgren said the incident began around 4:45 p.m. when the officer tried to make contact with the suspect in the 5400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Holmgren said the officer had come from a police department meeting where recent violence in that part of Oakland was discussed.

He said the officer was in a police vehicle and approached the suspect on foot.

A struggle ensued and the officer and the suspect ended up in the middle of 54th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, said Holmgren.

The officer's attempts to restrain the suspect met with resistance, and even the use of a Taser gun was ineffective. The suspect then reached into his waistband, which led the officer to believe he was reaching for a gun, Holmgren said.

The officer shot the suspect several times, he said.

The suspect was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland where he was pronounced dead, Holmgren said.

He said the officer wasn't injured but was "a little shaken up by the incident."

Holmgren didn't release the officer's name but said he is a veteran with more than 10 years experience and is a supervisor with the police department's crime reduction team.

It's not immediately clear what the suspect was wanted for. His name was not released.

Holmgren said after the shooting the officer found the suspect in possession of a loaded gun.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way has been closed between 53rd and 55th streets and Holmgren said it's not known when the section will be opened.