Police officer shot and killed in Kansas City

A police officer has been shot and killed in Kansas City, according to local reports.

The officer, named by CNN as Captain Robert Melton, had been searching for four people in a car near an apartment complex about 2pm local time, after reports the occupants had opened fire.

“As Captain Melton was arriving, the suspects bailed from the vehicle and began firing,” Kansas Police Chief Terry Zeigler said.

Capt. Melton had been wearing a bulletproof vest when he was shot, Kansas broadcaster KSHB reported.

Two suspects are in custody and police are searching for others who may have been involved, according to the Kansas City Star.