There are grave fears tonight after reports emerged that multiple police officers have been shot while serving a warrant at a property in regional Victoria.
According to The Age, at least two officers from Victoria Police have been killed and another seriously injured during the incident, which unfolded earlier today at a rural property in Porepunkah, a small community in northeast Victoria near Bright.
What We Know So Far
- Police were attending the property to serve a warrant when the situation escalated into gunfire.
- Two officers are reported to have died at the scene.
- A third officer has sustained severe injuries and has been rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
- A large-scale police response is currently underway, with heavily armed tactical units and negotiators deployed.
- Witnesses in the area report hearing multiple rounds of gunfire, and there are unconfirmed reports that a siege-style standoff is ongoing.
Community Impact
The nearby Porepunkah Primary School has gone into lockdown as a precautionary measure, with staff and students ordered to remain inside until police declare the area safe. Parents have been urged not to approach the school while the situation is active.
Local residents have described the unfolding incident as “terrifying,” with police roadblocks set up on multiple access roads leading into the town. Emergency services have urged members of the public to avoid the area entirely.
Official Response
Victoria Police have yet to release a formal statement on the situation, but sources indicate that senior leadership is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness. Flags at police stations across the state are expected to fly at half-mast in the coming days, pending confirmation of officers’ deaths.
Government officials have also been briefed, and there are expectations that the Premier of Victoria may address the public once more details are confirmed.
Ongoing Investigation
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Questions are being raised about the nature of the warrant being served, the identity of the suspect or suspects inside the property, and whether negotiations are underway to bring the situation to a peaceful end.
This tragedy marks one of the darkest days for Victoria Police in recent memory, recalling past incidents where officers have been killed in the line of duty while protecting their communities.
Authorities are urging the public to remain calm, stay away from the scene, and follow updates from official channels as this remains a developing and highly dangerous situation.
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