A manhunt is under way in the rural Australian town of Porepunkah after a gunman shot two police officers dead and injured a third.
A 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable were killed, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said, while the injured officer remains in hospital.
The suspect, who is “heavily armed” and “dangerous” was known to police before today’s incident.
Ten officers attended the alleged gunman’s residence at 10:30 local time (01:30 BST) on Tuesday, having been deployed to execute a search warrant.
The suspect escaped into the bush on foot, police say. They have urged locals to stay indoors while a large area remains cordoned off during the manhunt.
The suspect’s wife and two children have not yet been located, but police say there is currently no evidence to suggest they fled into the bush with him.
“Nothing like this ever happens, this is a really, really horrible situation”, a local who lives nearby to where the shooting occurred told the BBC.
Police say they will be releasing the name and picture of the suspect “imminently” – for the latest updates on this story,
Victorian Premier, the head of the executive government in the state, Jacinta Allan says the shooting is “shocking” and “just so utterly heart-breaking”.
She calls the tragedy a “painful reminder” of the bravery police officers show every day.
“Today is such a tragic day for our state,” she says.
Allan also takes questions from the media.
She echoes many of the comments made by the police chief earlier – and explains that “every resource” is being deployed to apprehend the suspect.
“We stand in support of Victoria Police, of the community of Porepunkah and stand ready to support them in any way we can.”
—BBC
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