Two police officers were shot to death Saturday morning in the southern U.S. state of Mississippi in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect.

The officers were responding to calls of gunfire at a house in the city of Brookhaven and were “mortally wounded” when the shooting broke out, according to Warren Strain of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Authorities identified the officers as James White, 35, and Zack Moak, 31.

The suspect, Marquis Flowers, 25, of Brookhaven, was wounded and treated at a nearby hospital. Strain said Flowers had not been charged but was in custody.

Authorities said Flowers used a handgun, but they would not provide details.

Officials said it was not clear why the gunfire broke out but that an investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and other agencies was underway.

On Twitter, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant asked the public to pray “for the family and loved ones of these fallen heroes.”
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