Two police officers and a rescue worker were shot and killed Sunday morning in the US state of Minnesota after responding to a call from a home where a domestic dispute was taking place, authorities said.
The shooter, whose identity has not been released, is dead and seven children, aged 2 to 15, who were inside the home are safe, state officials said, declining to specify. the circumstances of the death of the alleged shooter.
The slain officers, Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and emergency worker Adam Finseth, 40, according to CBS News, had been called to a home in Burnsville, south of Minneapolis, following a call from “a family in danger,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
“It breaks our hearts,” Mr. Walz said at a press conference on Sunday evening, surrounded by representatives of the authorities.
Another police officer was shot and injured during the exchange of gunfire, but is out of danger.
Emergency services received a call around 1:50 a.m. (7:50 GMT) Sunday from a home in Burnsville “where a man was armed and barricaded with members of his family,” said Drew Evans, superintendent of the County Crime Suppression Bureau. Minnesota.
Authorities negotiated with the man until he opened fire from inside. According to Drew Evans, at least one of the officers was shot and injured inside the home.
Several weapons were found in the home, but police did not say whether they were pistols or more powerful semi-automatic rifles.
“We are only at the very beginning of the investigation,” Mr Evans said.
CBS News footage showed an armored response unit vehicle with at least seven bullet holes in its windshield.
Last Wednesday, in Kansas City, a city in the central United States, one person died and 21 others were injured during the parade celebrating the Super Bowl victory.
