Two police officers shot dead in Florida

Two police officers were shot dead today during a traffic stop in Florida, officials said.

Officer David Curtis pulled over a red Toyota Camry because it didn’t have a visible licence plate.

He called for back-up after a background check revealed the male passenger in the car was wanted on a misdemeanour charge for writing a worthless cheque, Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

The two officers approached the passenger side of the car. Six minutes after the traffic stop, a witness called to say Curtis and Officer Jeffrey Kocab had been shot.

Authorities arrived to find them lying on the ground. The officers, both 31, were pronounced dead in hospital, police said.

Helicopters, police dogs and dozens of officers in bulletproof vests searched for the passenger, who is believed to be the shooter. A female who was driving the car is also being sought, Ms McElroy said.