Two police officers dead in Victoria shooting

Two detectives have been killed, a third is wounded and a man – believed to be a so-called sovereign citizen – is on the run after a search warrant execution ended in tragedy.

The officers came under fire while serving a warrant at a property in Porepunkah, near Bright – about 300km from Melbourne – on Tuesday morning.

It is understood the two officers who were killed were detectives.

Sources said they had been searching an abandoned bus at the property when they were shot.

The gunman – believed to be Dezi Freeman, a prominent name in suspected sovereign citizen circles and affiliated media – is believed to have taken at least one police-issue firearm from the scene and remains on the run with family members, including children, according to police sources.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed the deaths of two officers and said the wounded officer was currently in surgery.

“I can confirm tragically that two of our fine Victoria Police officers today lost their lives in the line of duty,” he said in a video released to the media.

“This is a terribly tragic event for the Victoria Police, the police family.”

“It is also very important that we wrap ourselves around the friends, family and colleagues of these officers who so bravely gave their lives to support their communities.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed two police officers were killed and a third wounded at a rural property at Porepunkah.

Ambulance Victoria said the injured officer was seriously injured and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

“Ambulance Victoria is on scene, paramedics have treated one person for serious lower body injuries and transported them by air ambulance in a stable condition,” an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.

Sources say police have the alleged gunman is contained in bushland in a siege-like situation.

NSW Police on the Albury/Wodonga border are on standby.

Colleagues of the three detectives rushed to the scene and rescued the surviving officer, who was seriously injured and undergoing emergency care.

Specialist police are currently working to locate the perpetrator of what the association described as “senseless violence”.

In a statement, Victoria Police added: “It’s believed the offender has since left the property and at this time his whereabouts are unknown.”

Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas posted a video message in which she said it had been a day of “deep sorrow and shock”.

She added: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two police officers tragically killed in Porepunkah.

“Our thoughts, love, and unwavering support are with you during this incredibly painful time.”

The NSW Police Association said in a statement that officers in NSW and across the nation are shocked and saddened by the alleged “callous murder” of the two officers and the serious wounding of the other.

President of the Police Federation of Australia, Kevin Morton, said he had been briefed by the leadership of the Police Association of Victoria.

“I have received a briefing from the leadership of the Police Association of Victoria and offered the support of police officers from around the country,” Mr Morton, who is also the NSW Police Association president, said.

“The situation remains dynamic and police officers continue to put themselves at significant risk to protect the community and bring this circumstance to a safe conclusion.”

He added it was a timely reminder ahead of National Police Remembrance Day that “all members of the community take a moment to pause and reflect on the sacrifice that every police officer risks making, every day of their working life”.

Mr Morton also pointed to the murders of officers in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania in recent years, warning that “any extreme ideology, access to weapons and hatred or dislike for police is too often playing out in attacks on police.”

“When they are combined, the outcome can be deadly.”

The association acknowledged the toll the tragedy would take on the wellbeing of police across the country and urged members to reach out for support services where needed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do, each and every day.”

“The men and women who wear our uniform, wear the uniform of the police force take risks each and every day.”

Heavily armed officers from the Special Operations Group have been deployed to the region, which sits at the base of Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s alpine area.

Porepunkah residents have been told to stay indoors.

Porepunkah Primary School – just 800m from the incident – was placed in lockdown, with students remaining indoors until authorities declare it safe.

Premier Jacinta Allan issued a statement urging residents to follow police officers’ advice and avoid the area.

“I have been briefed by the chief commissioner of Victoria Police. This situation remains active,” Ms Allan said.

“Victoria Police officers, and all our first responders, show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day.

“They are the best of us and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today.”

Victoria Police confirmed the situation was still “active” at midday and urged residents to avoid the area.

“Police are currently at a property in Porepunkah,” a police spokesperson said.

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“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. This is all the information we are able to confirm at this time. When we are able to provide an update, we will do so as soon as possible.

“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.

Alpine Shire Council has closed all council facilities including all transfer stations, libraries and visitor information centres and depots across the shire, council’s customer service centre in Bright, and the Bright sports centre.

The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) released a statement saying it extended its “deepest thoughts to the officers, families, and colleagues” of those affected.

“Reports confirm that one officer has been wounded, and two others are believed to be deceased after police executed a warrant at a rural property.

“This is an active and unfolding situation, with emergency services working tirelessly to secure the area and keep the community safe.”

AFPA president Alex Caruana said it was a reminder of the risk officers faced every day in keeping the community safe.

“Policing is dangerous and unpredictable work, and what has happened in Porepunkah is a reminder of the risks officers face every day in keeping the community safe,” Mr Caruana said.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our TPAV and Victoria Police colleagues and their loved ones as more details emerge.”

The incident follows similar incidents in Wieambilla, Queensland, North Motton in Tasmania and Bordertown, South Australia, where police officers were shot dead at isolated properties.

Tasmanian Constable Keith Anthony Smith, 57, was fatally shot as he and a colleague attended a rural address to serve a court warrant to repossess the rural home in June.

SA Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, 53, was shot dead when he and two other officers were called to an isolated rural property in the town of Senior, 15km north of Bordertown, in November 2023.

Queensland Constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, were murdered after they attended the Wieambilla property of Gareth Train and his wife, Stacey, while performing a welfare check for Gareth’s brother, Nathaniel Train, in December 2022.

More to come