A huge manhunt is under way for a heavily armed male suspect after two Australian police officers were shot dead and one injured in an ambush at a property in a small rural town in Victoria state.
Police described the situation in Porepunkah in the Australian Alps - some 300km (186 miles) north-east of Melbourne - as an active incident with hundreds of personnel deployed to find the suspect.
Officers were attacked as 10 of them attended the property to serve an arrest warrant, which Australian media said was for historical sex offences.
Police say the suspect escaped into the bush alone and on foot after the shooting. Officers are still trying to locate the man's wife and children.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said 10 officers went to the property on Tuesday at about 10:30 local time (00:30 GMT). He described officers being fired upon by a heavily armed offender, saying two colleagues - a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable - were murdered in cold blood. A third officer was seriously injured and airlifted to hospital.
The state police chief said all available resources were being used in the manhunt for the dangerous suspect, and urged locals to stay indoors. [Our] priority is to arrest him and bring safety and security to this community, he said.
Mr. Bush did not confirm the nature of the raid that officers were executing at the property. Footage from the scene showed dozens of police deployed to Porepunkah and a police helicopter circling in the area.
In a statement, Alpine Shire Council Mayor Sarah Nicholas paid tribute to the officers, extending thoughts, love and unwavering support to their families. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan praised the police officers for their bravery.
Local resident Emily White emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, We're such a small community, and we'll leave our cars unlocked, and we'll leave our front doors open. Nothing like this ever happens. Reports indicate the alleged gunman may be a self-declared sovereign citizen. Gun crime is relatively rare in Australia, which has strict gun regulations.
