Police Officer Found Shot Dead In Patrol Car

A New Orleans police officer has been found shot dead in his patrol car, which officials believe was in motion when the killer opened fire.

The 45-year-old was targeted as he worked an overtime shift guarding a construction site.

Police found the victim's body on Sunday morning in his marked vehicle, which came to a stop after the shooting when it hit the kerb.

Investigators do not yet know why or exactly when the housing authority police officer, who had been with the department since 2013, was killed.

Housing authority police chief Robert Anderson said: "We've never had an on-duty death in the department's history."

The immediate area where the officer was shot isn't populated, which could leave investigators short of witnesses.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the killing was "an unspeakable tragedy, and a vile and cowardly act".