Porepunkah: Manhunt after two police officers killed in rural Victoria shooting

Two police officers have been shot dead and a third has been injured after they were ambushed at a property in rural Victoria.

The offender, believed to be a self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen”, reportedly stole weapons from the police officers and is now on the run.

Victorian Police, in an update late on Tuesday, said the shooting suspect’s partner and children had been located after they presented to a police station.

“There is nothing to suggest they were ever in the company of the suspect following today’s incident” a spokesman said.

The officers had visited the Rayner Track property to execute a warrant for historical sex abuse allegations when the male offender opened fire, The Age reports.

The officers were searching an abandoned bus at the property when they were shot, according to 7NEWS.

Emergency services rushed to the small town of Porepunkah in Victoria’s alpine region, about 300km north-east of Melbourne, after the alarm was raised about 10.55am on Tuesday.

Ambulance Victoria has confirmed paramedics treated one person for serious lower body injuries and transported them by air ambulance to The Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.

Heavily armed officers from the Special Operations Group are searching for the offender as a police helicopter circles above.

“This is still an active incident and we will provide more information when it’s operationally safe to do so,” Victoria Police said.

“This is an active and ongoing incident which may present significant risk to members of the public.”

It is understood the offender was a member of a radical fringe group that believes the government is illegitimate and holds police in contempt.

Locals have been told to stay indoors and Porepunkah Primary School, which is about 800m from the scene, has been locked down.

Principal Jill Gillies told ABC they were instructed at 11.10am to keep their 106 students inside.

“We were told there was an incident near the school,” she said.

“We have plenty of movies and distractions for the children and will continue to follow police orders.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with the police community.

“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 be providing updates during the afternoon as more facts that are - that are able to be released become clear.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was being briefed on the ongoing situation.

“This situation remains active,” she 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.

“Please follow the advice of Victoria Police and avoid the area. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

At the last census, Porepunkah had a population of just 1000 people.

The case has eerie similarities to that of the 2022 Wieambilla shooting, in which two officers and a local were shot dead by members of a radical fringe group after the police visited their isolated property.

Brothers Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth Train, 47, set up concealed sniper positions on their driveway and opened fire on Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow as they approached with two other junior officers.

The officers had attended the property to obtain information about Nathaniel Train’s whereabouts in response to a missing persons request from NSW Police and also to arrest him for firearms offences in Queensland.

Nathaniel Train joined Gareth and his sibling’s wife Stacey, 45, to fatally shoot neighbour Alan Dare, 58, soon after killing the two constables.