© Brian Frank / Reuters Police in Urbandale, Iowa set a blockade after two police officers were shot and killed in separate attacks described as "ambush-style" in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. November 2, 2016.
Police have confirmed that the officers, from Urbandale and Des Moines Police Departments, were shot dead while sitting in their cars in two related incidents.
The first shooting happened just after 1 a.m. Wednesday near 70th Street and Aurora Avenue, close to Urbandale High School according to local news reports, when one officer was shot and killed.
Then 20 minutes later a second police officer was shot dead, just blocks away at Merle Hay Road and Sheridan Avenue.
Police have released a photo of the suspect, identified as Scott Michael Green, 41, and warn that he is considered both armed and dangerous. He is believed to be driving a blue Ford F-150 truck.
People have been asked to immediately contact 911 if they see Green and are advised not to approach him, the Des Moines Register reports.
Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek said during a press briefing Wednesday morning that the second officer was on the way to the crime scene in Urbandale at the time of his killing.
"It looks like the officers were ambushed," he said.
"There's definitely danger out there, someone is out there shooting police officers," officer Parizek said.
Des Moines PD have paired up their officers as a precaution following the shootings.
"We are always vigilant about our safety, but we still got to get out there and do it," Parizek told the media.
The Urbandale Schools District said that all schools will be closed Wednesday as a result of the fatal shootings and ongoing investigation.
In a statement the governor's office said that "an attack on public safety officers is an attack on the public safety of all Iowans."
"We call on Iowans to support our law enforcement officials in bringing this suspect to justice," it added.
No one has the right to use violence, emotion, physical or psychological violence against another person to get what they want.