An 18-year-old black teenager has been fatally shot by police at a gas station in a suburb of St Louis, Missouri, reports The Guardian, quoting police and local media.

The incident took place near where unarmed teenager Michael Brown was killed by a white officer in August. 

A spokesman for St Louis County Police Department said a police officer shot and killed a man who drew a handgun and pointed it at him as the officer approached him and another man at a gas station in the suburb of Berkeley.

According to the police, fearing for his life, the Berkeley officer pulled out his gun and fired several shots, striking and killing the man. 

The police said an investigation had begun into the incident.

An angry crowd has gathered at the scene.

The victim has not been identified by the police, but was name locally as Antonio Martin.

The incident comes at a time of mounting tension between the police and the community in the US, after nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.