Police officer killed in US shooting

HOUSTON - A police officer was shot dead in the US state of New Mexico on Thursday, local police said.

Authority said multiple agencies pursued the suspect's vehicle before there was an exchange of gunfire. New Mexico's State Police confirmed the deadly shooting, saying its officer was shot on eastbound interstate highway 10 near Las Cruces in the south of the state Thursday afternoon.

After shooting dead the officer, the suspect took off down the interstate highway heading east, police said. Then a Las Cruces police officer was shot when trying to stop the suspect.

The injured officer was taken to a nearby hospital and was in stable condition, authorities said.

The suspect who shot both officers is dead, police said.

New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered all flags lowered to half-staff in the state from Friday to Tuesday in mourning for the deceased officer.

"I am shocked, heartbroken and enraged by the loss of this public servant," the governor said in a statement. "I am praying for the local officer who was also shot and injured."

Investigation was underway to determine the cause of the incident.