Two police officers have been shot dead and another is wounded after a shooting at a rural property in Porepunkah, 300km northeast of Melbourne.
It is understood a gunman fled the scene after one officer was shot in the thigh while serving a warrant at the property on Tuesday morning.
The incident is believed to have occurred at a farm owned by a couple in their 50s with two daughters, located near Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s alpine region.
it’s been reported police were at the property to execute a warrant for historical sex abuse allegations.
Heavy gunfire has prevented police from entering the property as they wait for Special Operations officers to arrive on the scene.
It’s understood one officer was shot in the thigh while serving a warrant at the property on Tuesday morning.
Police are currently on site, and heavily armed officers from the Special Operations Group are on their way by helicopter to the area near Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s alpine region.
Heavily armed officers from the Special Operations Group are rushing to the scene.
A police spokesperson stated: ‘Police are currently at a property in Porepunkah.
‘This is still an active incident and we will provide more information when it’s operationally safe to do so.
‘We ask people avoid the area.’
Locals said the shooting occurred near Mount Buffalo Caravan Park.
Police are at the scene near the base of Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s alpine region
A police officer has been shot at a property in Victoria’s north, while two others are unccounted for
A suspected shooter escaped from the scene of the incident at a property near Porepunkah (above), situated approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne in Victoria’s alpine region.
Police have the region in lockdown as they hunt for the shooter
About 30 police cars have swarmed the area, and officers are searching the caravan park.
Campers in tents have been shifted to secure cabins and police have advised people not to leave keys in their cars.
Emily, whose mum owns Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, spoke to the Daily Mail from her family’s locked-down caravan park.
‘We’re all ok but a bit rattled, stuff like this doesn’t happen here,’ she said.
Porepunkah residents have also been told to stay indoors while the police operation unfolds.
Children at Porepunkah Primary School are in lockdown.
Jill Gillies, the school’s principal, told ABC radio ‘we’re all safe and calm and having the best time we possibly can under the circumstances’.
‘[The kids] are amazing. We practice drills regularly, and we have an emergency management plan that we put into action. We quickly got into classrooms, lowered the blinds, locked the doors, and made sure everyone was safe,’ said Ms. Gillies.
‘I know it’s a worry to everyone but I just want to assure everyone that we’re all safe and calm.’
The shooting occurred near the Mount Buffalo Caravan Park which police are searching
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was ‘very concerned for some of the police officers who are involved’.
‘Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do, each and every day,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘The men and women who wear our uniform, wear the uniform of the police take risks each and every day.
‘The Victorian police commissioner will provide updates throughout the afternoon as more details that can be shared become available.’
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said ‘our thoughts and prayers are with Victoria Police right now’.
‘We hope that everyone remains safe, but we are hearing severe concerns for some of the police officers, and our thoughts are with the community.’
Police have directed all media covering the unfolding event to Wangaratta Police Station.
‘This is an active and ongoing incident which may present significant risk to members of the public. We are asking that you do not attend the scene at this time,’ the spokesperson said.
More to come.
