Two police officers were shot dead in the early hours of Monday morning while on traffic control in western Germany. The perpetrators have fled the scene. 

Shooting in Kusel near Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate

The two officers from the Kusel police district, close to Kaiserslautern in Rhineland-Palatinate, were killed during a routine traffic stop at around 4.20am on Monday morning. According to Kaiserslautern police, a 29-year-old policeman and a 24-year-old policewoman were killed.

Police were examining the scene as of Monday morning but as yet have no leads. There is no description of the perpetrators or the getaway vehicle they used, or which direction they headed in. Police have expanded their investigation to neighbouring Saarland. 

Police appeal to public not to pick up hitchhikers

The police are asking that nobody driving in the Kusel district pick up hitchhikers, warning that at least one suspect is armed. The rural road where the incident took place, the Kreisstrasse 22, will remain closed for the time being.