Police officer shot dead in Texas

Houstan: A police officer was killed by a driver on Sunday while writing a traffic ticket outside the police headquarters in San Antonio, a city in the southern part of the US state of Texas.

The 50-year-old Benjamin Marconi, a 20-year veteran of the police force, had pulled over a vehicle later Sunday morning. When he was inside his vehicle writing a ticket, a vehicle pulled up behind him, Xinhua reported.

The driver of that vehicle got out, walked up to the officer's driver-side window and shot the officer in the head, the suspect then reached into the window and shot Marconi a second time. 

He was rushed to a hospital but died on Sunday afternoon, San Antonio police Chief William McManus said at a press conference Sunday.

"This is everyone's worst nightmare," McManus said, adding that "It's always difficult, especially in this day and age, when police are being targeted across the country."

Until further notice, police officers will not be allowed to conduct traffic stops alone and they must have cover.

The suspect, who was as a black male wearing a hoodie, baggy pants and possible facial hair, has not yet been arrested and a motive is not known.

Police are now looking for a black car which is believed to be the suspect's vehicle.