A manhunt is underway in Victoria, Australia, after two police officers were shot dead and a third wounded in a rural property in the high country town of Porepunkah. The suspect, described as heavily armed and dangerous, fled into the bush and remains at large.
Victorian police commissioner Mike Bush said the officers were 'murdered in cold blood' after being met by the offender while executing a search warrant on Rayner Track on Tuesday morning. Ten officers attended the scene, with seven uninjured remaining at the property for hours as police locked down the area.
The suspect, known to police, escaped alone into the bush. His partner and children later attended a police station, with no indication they were with him after the shooting. Police are investigating whether he took additional weapons.
Specialist resources including homicide, armed crime, fugitive squads, and the special operations group have been deployed. Commissioner Bush urged the community to stay indoors until the operation concludes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as 'terrible news', while Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called it 'shocking and utterly heartbreaking'. The mayor of Alpine Shire, Sarah Nicholas, expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for the officers' service.
Local schools and a caravan park were placed in lockdown as police searched for the suspect, who remains at large.
