TWO police officers have been killed and a third injured in an “ambush” by an alleged sovereign citizen at a rural property in Australia.
Victoria cops said on Tuesday afternoon they were dealing with an “active incident” and urged people to “avoid the area” as the gunman remains at large.
EPATwo police officers were killed and one injured in an ‘ambush’ by an alleged sovereign citizen[/caption]
7News AustraliaVictoria Police are managing an active incident, urging the public to avoid the area as the gunman remains at large[/caption]
EPAA view of the Porepunkah Primary School in the high country of Porepunkah in Victoria, Australia[/caption]
Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed that ten officers went to the Porepunkah property around 10.30am on Tuesday to execute a search warrant when shots were fired.
He said: “They were fired upon. The two deceased officers are still at the scene. A third officer was seriously injured and is currently in surgery in hospital.”
Bush said the other officers on scene were uninjured, but stressed the incident was “still active and ongoing”.
“We have deployed all specialist resources into the area to arrest the person responsible… [they] are currently there looking for this person.”
That includes homicide detectives, the Armed Crime Squad, the Fugitive Squad and specialist police units.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed one person with serious lower-body injuries was flown to hospital in a stable condition.
The attack unfolded in Porepunkah, a small Alpine town of about 1,000 residents, located 186 miles north-east of Melbourne.
The local primary school was placed into lockdown and the Alpine shire council closed all public facilities “effective immediately”.
Australian outlets are reporting the alleged gunman is a self-declared “sovereign citizen” – part of a fringe movement that rejects the authorities of Australian laws and government.
Often called “SovCits”, adherents have been Australia for decades, with the AFP previously describing them as mostly harmless.
But the movement has gained traction in recent years, fuelled by pandemic-era mistrust, and a 2023 AFP briefing note warned it has “an underlying capacity to inspire violence”.
Alpine shire mayor Sarah Nicholas said it had been an “unsettling” and “emotional” afternoon for the small community.
“Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community… We are grieving together,” she said in a statement, paying tribute to the officers killed and offering “thoughts, love and unwavering” support to their families.
“We hold our police in the highest regard. They serve with courage, compassion, and dedication, and their loss is felt profoundly across our region,” she added.
Nicholas also thanked teachers at the nearby school for keeping children calm during the lockdown, and locals for heeding police instructions. She closed with a plea: “Please stay safe.”
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 the uniform of the police force, take risks each and every day.”
Premier Jacinta Allan told parliament: “Victoria police officers and all of our first responders show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day. They are the best of us.”
A large police operation remains underway in Porepunkah, with about 50 officers and a police dog reported at the scene.
The local airfield has been shut to the public to allow emergency access.
Meanwhile, locals are being warned to stay indoors, with PCC Bush saying: “I want to further assure the rural community around Bright that we will do everything to bring this person into custody so that your community is safe.
“Can I please ask you just to stay at home, not go out and about at the moment, until this operation is concluded?
“I’m leaving now to head to the area to support our officers and support the operation.”
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EPAPolice at the scene of a shooting in the high country of Porepunkah in Victoria, Australia[/caption]