Manhunt after two police officers shot dead and third seriously injured in Australia

A manhunt is under way for a gunman who shot and killed two officers and seriously injured another at a rural property in a remote part of Australia, police have said.

The wounded officer was "shot in the lower body" in the incident near Porepunkah, a town of around 1,000 people roughly 300km (190 miles) northeast of Melbourne, shortly after 10.30am, Victoria Police said in a statement.

No other officers were wounded in the incident on Tuesday morning, local time, but they remain at the property.

The statement said "it's believed ten police attended the property on Rayner Track" while the offender "has since left the property and at this time his whereabouts are unknown. A significant search is actively underway to locate the man."

While police have not named the suspect, media have identified the man as Dezi Freeman, also known as Dezi Bird Freeman.

Speaking to reporters at around 6am, local time, (9am, GMT), Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush paid tribute to the "brave" officers who died, confirming one was a 59-year-old detective and the other a senior constable aged 35.

A second detective who was shot was in surgery after being airifted to hospital, but was not in a life-threatening state, he said.

The suspect, who was known to police, was "heavily armed and dangerous", and had "escaped into the bush on foot".

Detectives were trying to locate the suspect's wife and two children and find out if they are with him, Mr Bush said.

He described the "semi-rural" search area as "large" and said hundreds of officers, helped by sniffer dogs and helicopters, were involved in the search of the area which "can be" rugged.

Ten armed officers went to execute a search warrant at the suspect's address, where they "were met by the offender and killed in cold blood".

Mr Bush said the man had several firearms at least. He did not confirm if officers had discharged their weapons or whether reports that the suspect had taken officers' guns were true or not.

He said a risk assessment was carried out beforehand and the fact that there were 10 officers involved "does talk to the gravity of the situation".

Wayne Gatt, from the Victoria Police Association, said police stations "have fallen silent" after two officers "paid the ultimate price".

Thanking "these courageous officers", he said "our hearts go out to you" and promised to "do everything to look after" their families.

Police Federation of Australia president Kevin Morton said union members were shocked and saddened by "the callous murder of two Victorian police officers and the serious wounding of another".

In a statement on the X social media platform, Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria, 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."

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said officers believe the shooter is a so-called "sovereign citizen" and that police were serving a warrant from the sexual crimes squad, known as SOCIT.

Sovereign citizens believe the government is illegitimate.

10 News Melbourne said earlier that "heavy gunfire has stopped officers from entering the property as they await the arrival of the Special Operations Group".

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The outlet quoted three police sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the dead officers "were killed in an ambush attack".

Police urged residents to stay indoors and told the public not to travel to the area. Public buildings, including libraries, information centres and depots and the nearby airfield were closed until further notice, Porepunkah mayor Sarah Nicholas said.

Porepunkah Primary School, which has more than 100 students, was in lockdown for hours before the children were allowed to go home.

The Porepunkah Pub has said on Facebook it will be closed on Tuesday evening "following advice from Victorian Police".

Porepunkah, known for its vineyards and scenic vistas, is a gateway to Victoria's alpine tourist region.

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