ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Two Volusia County Sheriff's deputies shot and killed a suicidal man who brandished a handgun as he refused their orders to stop.

Sheriff's officials say the deputies fired their weapons and shot the man Wednesday night near Ormond Beach.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports the deputies sent messages to the 52-year-old man's cell phone.

He eventually responded with a suicidal text that also demanded them to leave him alone.

The incident began after a 911 caller reported the man had sent text messages to his ex-girlfriend threatening suicide.

Deputies used the cellphone signal to track him down near a bridge that spans the Halifax River.

The deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which is the department's standard policy.

------ Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

AP-WF-01-03-13 1153GMT