Bus shootout leaves US robbery suspect dead

Police shot dead a robbery suspect in the US when the man boarded a bus, sparking a fierce shootout with officers.

A cop and a bystander were injured in Wednesday's incident on a street in Baltimore County, Maryland, reports WBALTV.

Police were called to the area after reports a man, later identified as Blaine Robert Erb, 35, robbed two people at gunpoint.

The suspect then boarded a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus and pursuing officers stopped the vehicle after a passenger recognised the robbery suspect and phoned police.

Moments later a gun battle started in which Erb was shot dead while attempting to flee the scene.

A female officer was shot in the leg and a passenger was injured.

"Officers stopped the MTA bus and they engaged the suspect. At some point during that engagement, the suspect fired shots at the officers. The officers then returned fire and shot the suspect," a police spokeswoman said.

"One officer was shot in that altercation. The suspect was shot and he is now deceased." 

Police said the shot passenger is in serious condition at a hospital but is expected to survive.