Published: 5:22pm, 26 Aug 2025Updated: 5:49pm, 26 Aug 2025
Australian police are hunting a gunman who shot dead two officers and wounded another on Tuesday as they tried to serve a warrant at a rural property in the state of Victoria.
Advertisement
In a video statement, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said 10 officers were met with gunfire at a property in Porepunkah, about 300km (186 miles) northeast of the city of Melbourne, at around 10.30am.
Bush said the officers were fired upon, with two killed and one seriously injured and being treated in hospital. He urged residents to stay at home while police searched for the gunman.
“We have deployed all specialist resources into the area to arrest the person responsible. Detectives, special operations groups are currently there looking for this person,” he said. “We will do everything to bring this person into custody so that your community is safe.”
The Age newspaper said the officers were serving a warrant for historical sex abuse allegations when they were ambushed by the gunman, who then fled with several family members, including children.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said police believe the shooter was a “sovereign citizen”. Sovereign citizens believe the government is illegitimate. The town of Porepunkah is home to 1,000 residents and is located at the base of Australia’s alpine ranges.
Advertisement