Two police officers have been killed and another injured while serving a warrant at an address in rural Australia, according to multiple local media reports.
Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas confirmed on social media that two police officers have died. Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan have both praised the police officers involved for their bravery.
The “active incident” continues to unfold in Porepunkah, Victoria, where a local primary school has been placed in lockdown.
The Age, a major newspaper based in Melbourne, Victoria, reported that the police were at the address to serve a warrant for historical sex offences.
The Australian Federal Police Association – a union for federal officers – issued a statement offering “its deepest thoughts to the officers, families, and colleagues of Victoria Police affected by today’s incident”.
A large number of armed police as well as police helicopters have reportedly descended on the scene in Alpine Shire, where council services have also been suspended.
Two officers confirmed dead
Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas has confirmed on social media that two police officers have died.
“Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community… We are grieving together,” she said.
“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 said.
Police say it is still an “active” incident and have urged locals to stay away from the area.
Porepunkah airfield closed amid emergency response
The Porepunkah airfield has been temporarily closed as authorities respond to the ongoing incident in the alpine area.
Situated two nautical miles south of Porepunkah in the Buckland Valley, the site remains accessible to police and emergency services, according to the ABC.
Meanwhile, Alpine Shire council buildings have been closed, and the local primary school has been placed in lockdown.
Shooter suspected to be ‘sovereign citizen’
Police say the shooter identifies as a “sovereign citizen”.
Members of this movement reject government authority and use pseudo-legal theories – legal-sounding ideas with no basis in real law – to target government institutions.
The shooter is still at large.
Police have deployed a large presence, including a helicopter and an armoured vehicle, to secure the scene of the shooting in rural Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres from Melbourne.
Injured officer in ‘stable condition’
The injured police officer is in stable condition, the authorities said on Tuesday.
Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said in a statement: “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.”
Two police officers are reportedly dead following a shooting at a rural property in Porepunkah, about 300 km north-east of Melbourne.
The third officer was injured.
The officers were serving a warrant linked to historical sex offences when the shooting occurred, according to ABC News.
The outlet reported that firearms were taken from the deceased officers.
‘Active incident’ unfolding in rural Australian town
Two police officers have been killed and another injured while serving a warrant at an address in rural Australia, according to multiple local media reports.
Officials have yet to confirm any deaths but Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan have both praised the police officers involved for their bravery.
The “active incident” continues to unfold in Porepunkah, Victoria, where a local primary school has been placed in lockdown.
More to follow here.
