Two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed early Sunday morning in the US state of Minnesota after responding to a call to intervene at a home where a domestic dispute was in progress, authorities said.

The attacker — whose identity was not released — is dead, while seven children, between the ages of 2 and 15, are safe, state authorities added, declining to specify the circumstances in which the gunman died.

The dead officers, both 27, and a paramedic, 40, were called to a home in Burnsville, south of Minneapolis, because “a family was in danger,” according to Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz.

The incident “breaks our hearts”, Mr Walsh said during a press conference last night, flanked by representatives of the authorities.

A third police officer, who was hit by a bullet, is hospitalized out of danger.

Immediate action received a call yesterday Sunday at around 01:50 (local time; 09:50 Greek time) from a home in Burnsville where a gunman was locked in a house “with members of his family”, explained Drew Evans, Minnesota State Crime Squad officer.

Authorities began negotiating with the man until he opened fire from inside the home. According to Mr. Evans, at least one police officer was wounded by a bullet inside the house.

Inside the house, weapons were found and confiscated. Police did not say what kind, or if the weaponry included semi-automatic rifles.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation,” Mr Evans said.

Footage broadcast by CBS shows an armored response unit vehicle with at least seven bullet holes visible in the windshield.

Last week, in the city of Kansas (central USA), one person was killed and 21 others were injured in the middle of the celebratory parade for the victory of the city’s team in the Super Bowl.