California police shot dead a 73-year-old dementia sufferer after reports he might have had a gun, only to find he was carrying a crucifix, BBC reports.

Bakersfield officials said officers opened fire at Francisco Serna seconds after he was pointed out to them.

Police said he refused officer commands to take his hands out of his pockets, and neighbours had complained he was threatening people and might be armed.

A 2015 study rated Bakersfield Police Department as the deadliest in the US.

Mr Serna's family said the shooting in the city, 110 miles (177km) north of Los Angeles, was murder.

The retired father-of-five was shot to death in his neighbour's driveway at around 00:45 local time on Monday.