Coroner: 2 Mississippi police officers die after shootings; authorities searching for suspect

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A coroner says two Mississippi police officers have died after being shot in the line of duty.

Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger (http://on.thec-l.com/1GWpqRp ) Saturday night that both Hattiesburg officers had died after being taken to the hospital.

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree says authorities are searching for the suspect. He's urging residents to stay inside their homes during the search.

The newspaper reports these are the first Hattiesburg officers to die in the line of duty in 30 years.

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Information from: The Clarion-Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com