Two police officers killed and one injured in shooting in Victoria, Australia

Two police officers have been killed and another injured in a shooting at a rural property in Porepunkah in north-east Victoria.

Emergency services have swarmed the scene of the incident in the regional town, 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, with the shooter believed to still be at large.

“This is still an active incident and we will provide more information when it’s operationally safe to do so,” police said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) this afternoon.

“We ask people to avoid the area.”

Sources have told the ABC the officers were executing a warrant for historical sex offences when the shooting took place.

It’s understood the shooter identifies as a “sovereign citizen”, a movement steeped in the belief that the government and institutions such as courts are illegitimate.

Ambulance Victoria said paramedics treated one person for “serious lower body injuries” and transported them by air ambulance in a stable condition.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have both expressed concern for the officers involved.

Allan said she had been briefed by the chief commissioner of Victoria Police.

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

The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has also expressed solidarity with Victoria Police.

“Reports confirm that one officer has been wounded, and two others are deceased after police executed a warrant at a rural property,” it said in a statement.

People are being asked to avoid the scene, which has been described as an “active and ongoing incident which may present a significant risk to members of the public”.

As of 2:30pm, dozens of police officers, several ambulances, and an armoured tactical vehicle were at the site. A police helicopter was also seen circling the area.

Source – ABC news