Minneapolis police shooting: Officer stable after early-morning North Side attack

A police officer in the US state of Minneapolis is reportedly in a stable condition after being shot while answering an early-morning burglary call.

Police say the officer was shot just after visiting a property with his partner on 24th Avenue in the neighbourhood of Jordan, on Minneapolis's North Side, at 5am local time (11am GMT).

The shooting happened while the officers were in their car after they returned from the property. The victim was immediately taken by his partner to North Memorial Medical Centre, according to the Star Tribune.

The suspect remains at large and a search is under way. Police dogs have been deployed to search garages and alleys around the area.

Local police chief Janeé Harteau has suggested the officer was targeted.

"There is little doubt that an officer was the intended target of this shooting and that this officer just happened to be the one who was there," Harteau said in a police statement.

"This is a reminder to all that every one of our officers face such danger simply because they choose to wear a uniform. They deserve our support and gratitude.

"We ask for continued prayers for this officer, his family and every officer who is out protecting and serving their communities."

Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has used Twitter to brand the shooting "a cowardly act," adding that, "We are sparing no effort to apprehend and bring to justice whoever is responsible for it."