Louisiana cop is shot dead and a second officer is 'fighting for his life' after murder suspect opened fire when police responded to reports of gunfire (6 Pics)

Ronnie Kato (pictured), 36, is suspected of killing Curtis Richardson, 58, that morning and then gunning down the two unidentified cops later

A police officer has been killed and his wounded colleague was fighting for his life Sunday after they were gunned down when responding to reports of gunfire.  

Ronnie Kato, 36, is suspected of killing Curtis Richardson, 58, that morning and the two unidentified officers who responded to the scene in a northern residential district in the city were shot. One of them later succumbed to his injuries. 

The cops had initially gone to 1800 block of Pamela Drive around 12.30pm but received a tip the gunman was hiding a home on the 3100 block of Conrad Street.

Kato was detained around 4pm after a roughly four-hour standoff with a SWAT team in which he barricaded himself inside a house, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul told The Advocate. 

He added that SWAT team members had been fired on and they returned fire. No one was reported hurt during those exchanges. 

At a news conference Sunday evening, the police chief said the slain officer was a 21-year law enforcement veteran and that the wounded colleague had seven years of police work, according to WBRZ-TV.

'Our officers - talk about being public servants and the responsibility that comes along with being a law enforcement officer,' Paul said. 'This is a call no chief wants to get.'

Police released few details about the shooting of the two officers or events that led up to it. The chief said only that police continue to investigate.

The chief didn't immediately say what charges Kato might face. 

Baton Rouge Police Department officers gather at the site of a shooting that left one police officer dead and a wounded colleague fighting for life

The suspect was in custody after an hourslong standoff at a home in the area on Sunday afternoon

An officer salutes a motorcycle escort and a coroner's van carrying the body of a Baton Rouge police officer who was fatally shot

On Sunday afternoon, neighbors and onlookers crowded street corners behind police tape that cordoned off the area, according to media reports. Some of the bystanders wore masks against the coronavirus and others held up phones to record the crush of law enforcement vehicles at the site.

A different scene unfolded outside Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where the officers had been whisked by ambulance. There, dozens of law enforcement officers held an impromptu vigil at the hospital, awaiting updates on the wounded officer's condition.

The hospital lit up blue in their honor. 

A coroner's van was seen Sunday afternoon being escorted away by dozens of law enforcement vehicles as it left the hospital, according to media reports.  

'It is a tragic day in the Baton Rouge community. I am deeply saddened by the incident earlier that resulted in the loss of one of our bravest souls,' Mayor-President Broome said in a statement. 'My thoughts and prayers are with their families, with every member of the Baton Rouge Police Department, and with all public safety officers. I ask our entire community to remember their families in your prayers, and may their sacrifice never be forgotten. 

'As we mourn this tragedy, let us reinforce that violence in our community, and particularly violence against those who serve and protect, is unacceptable. During this stressful time, both in our community and across the globe, it is imperative that we join together now more than ever.

'I have requested Governor Edwards allow all flags at East Baton Rouge City-Parish buildings be flown at half-staff.'

Baton Route Police Chief Murphy Paul, center holding sheet of paper, walks along a street

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul speaks to reporters on Sunday. Paul told The Advocate the officers were shot in the northern part of the city, and one of the officers later died