Baton Rouge: Three US police officers shot dead in a fresh attack

                                     

Three police officers have been shot dead in the US city of Baton Rouge, and three more have been injured, officials say.

One suspect is dead and two others may still be at large.

Baton Rouge police have warned residents to stay away from the scene of the shooting, which was near police headquarters and Airline Highway.

It follows the recent killing of a black man by police in the city, which sparked protests.

Mobile phone footage from the scene in Baton Rouge showed police cars arriving at a road intersection. Several shots were then heard.

Police are reported to be using a robot to check for explosives at the scene.

The local sheriff's department spokeswoman told WAFB TV the incident began shortly before 09:00 local time and was being treated as "an active situation", with road closures in the area.

She said officers had responded to reports of shooting. A witness interviewed by the station said the shooting appeared to have broken out before law enforcement officers arrived at the scene.

Another witness said she saw a gunman wearing a black mask and military-style clothing.

The condition of one of the injured officers taken to hospital has been described as critical.

Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden said he had spoken to White House officials in Washington, who had offered assistance. He said it was "a defining moment" for community relations.

Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards said on Twitter: "This is an unspeakable and unjustifiable attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing.

"Rest assured, every resource available to the state of Louisiana will be used to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice."