MODESTO . (AP) — Modesto police have shot and killed an elderly man they say held his wife hostage at their home during an overnight standoff with officers.

Lt. Rick Armendariz says a SWAT team entered the home around 4 a.m. Thursday to rescue the woman, and shot her husband after he aimed a handgun at them. The woman had been assaulted before the standoff, and police were concerned about her health.

Neither the man nor his wife, both in their 80s, has been identified. The woman was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately known.

The standoff began around 6 p.m. the previous evening after police were called to the home on a report of domestic violence.

Armendariz said the man had a handgun and was despondent and not listening to officers' commands.