New York City police officer killed in 'unprovoked attack'

July 5 (Reuters) - A New York City police officer was fatally shot early on Wednesday in the city's Bronx borough by a gunman who was then shot and killed by police as he ran from the scene, authorities said.

The officer, Miosotis Familia, 48, a 12-year veteran of the force, was shot as she sat in a police vehicle with her partner at about 12:30 a.m. EDT (0430 GMT), the New York Police Department said.

The suspect fired through the vehicle's window, hitting Familia in the head, police said in a statement.

"It is clear that this was an unprovoked direct attack on police officers who were assigned to keep the people of this city safe," Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.

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Familia was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.

Officers chased the assailant on foot for a block before he drew a revolver and they shot and killed him, police said.

A bystander was also shot and was in stable condition at a hospital, according to the department.

A total of 24 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year, a 20 percent increase from the same period in 2016.

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Familia is the eighth New York City police officer shot and killed in the line of duty over the last five years. Two New York City police officers were ambushed by a killer in December 2014. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Larry King and Jeffrey Benkoe)

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