HATTIESBURG, Miss. (Reuters) - One of two suspects is reportedly in custody after a shooting that left two police officers dead in Mississippi.
The Hattiesburg Police officers were shot and killed as they conducted a traffic stop on Saturday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. At least one suspect fled in a police vehicle which was later found abandoned, authorities said.
Police were conducting a manhunt in the area about 80 miles southeast of Jackson.
"The person or persons who did this are not safe in the city of Hattiesburg," Mayor Johnny DuPree told a news conference at the hospital.
The shooting occurred when one officer was conducting a routine traffic stop while a second one arrived to provide backup. Two civilians came upon the scene and called for help after finding the wounded officers on the ground.
NBC affiliate WDAM-TV in Mississippi reports the Forrest County Coroner's office identified the slain officers as Benjamin J. Deen, 34, and Liquori Tate, 25.
It was the city's first killing of a police officer since 1984, officials said.
The officers were taken to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, where they were pronounced dead. One died after reaching the hospital.
(Editing by Chris Michaud & Kim Coghill)
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