Two police officers have been shot and killed in Mississippi and police are looking for one of two suspects, media reports say.

Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict said both officers were shot on Saturday in Hattiesburg and taken to hospital where they were confirmed dead, according to The Clarion-Ledger newspaper.

The coroner named the officers as Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate, according to the newspaper.

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Officials did not say what the motive was for the attack but said the suspects, Curtis Banks, 26, and Marvin Banks, 29, are brothers.

Marvin was arrested early on Sunday, while Curtis remained at large.

Both men have criminal records, which include drug and weapons-related charges, the newspaper reported.

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree urged residents to stay indoors while police searched for the second suspect.

“The men and women who go out every day to protect us, the men and women who go out every day to make sure that we’re safe, they were turned on tonight,” DuPree said, according to the newspaper.

“But the person or persons who did this are not safe in the City of Hattiesburg.”

The newspaper reported that one of the officers pulled a car over Saturday night, approached the vehicle, and was joined by a second officer before shots were fired.

One of the suspects allegedly fled in a police vehicle, which was later found abandoned.

A neighbouring police force in Oxford, Mississippi mourned the slain officers.

“Both Hattiesburg Police Officers have died. Terrible. Prayers to the entire community and families,” the Oxford Police Department said on Twitter.

The Clarion-Ledger said it was the first police killing in Hattiesburg in 30 years.