Jackson Free Press

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — 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) on Saturday night that both Hattiesburg officers had died. They'd been taken to the hospital, and it wasn't immediately clear if they died there or earlier.

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree told the paper that authorities are searching for a 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.

A Hattiesburg Police Department dispatcher, contacted by The Associated Press, said the agency had no immediate information late Saturday. A call to DuPree's office for further comment was not immediately returned.