A Los Angeles police officer opened fire on a man holding what appeared to be a rifle … and in the bizarre aftermath, the cop got a marksmanship compliment from the dude who was writhing in agony.

Here’s the deal … Last month, LAPD responded to a domestic disturbance call of a possible suicidal man — and one of the officers unloaded on the suspect when he came at them while holding a gun.

On Tuesday, the department released pics and body cam footage that shows the intense shooting when the suspect got hit in the leg — and randomly told the cop afterward … “That was a good shot.” Then he repeated his praise for emphasis.

Officers discovered afterward the gun the suspect held — which looked real AF — was a BB gun.

The suspect was hospitalized for a short time for his gunshot wound … then jailed on multiple charges related to the incident.