Two police officers have been killed and a third is in hospital after a shooting during a search warrant in Porepunkah, regional Victoria. The suspect remains at large and is believed to be heavily armed, prompting a lockdown of the community.
The victims, a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable, were fatally shot while executing the warrant at a semi-rural property on Monday. A third detective is in a serious but stable condition. Ten officers attended the scene at approximately 10.30am, reflecting the gravity of the situation, according to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
The suspect, who lived in a bus on the property with his partner and two children, fled into the bush alone after the attack. His family's whereabouts are unknown. Bush confirmed the suspect is known to police and possesses several lethal firearms. He urged the suspect to surrender, stating: 'My message to that person is give yourself up so that the community can be at peace.'
Police have deployed hundreds of specialist resources to search for the suspect, who has not yet been named. The community has been advised to stay indoors, with local schools and a caravan park placed under lockdown. Tributes have poured in from the prime minister and emergency services nationwide, while the mayor of Alpine Shire expressed 'deep sorrow and shock' at the incident.
