Two dead in police shootout

PIUSA -- A security police officer and a civilian have been killed during a shoot-out in the north-eastern Estonian villiage of Piusa.

One officer, Tarmo Laul (born 1978), was killed and two others injured when a civilian opened fire on the officers, who had been investigating a possible illegal weapons cache.The man who opened fire -- who was the father of the suspect under investigation -- was killed at the scene. 

Laul, a father of two, died several hours after receiving wounds in the shootout. The two other wounded officers are reportedly in serious condition.

President Toomas Hendrink Ilves posthumously awarded Laul the Gold Cross of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle.

"My sympathy goes out to Tarmo Laul's family. I mourn with you," the president said. "Today, we bow our heads in recognition of 13 years of service to his country."

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Minister of the Interior Ken-Marti Vaher have also extended their condolences to Laul's family and colleagues.