Manhunt Under Way After Two Police Officers Shot Dead in Rural Victoria

Published: 26 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Australia is reeling after a violent and deadly attack in the small rural town of Porepunkah, Victoria, where two police officers were shot dead and another seriously injured during what authorities have described as an “active incident” that has shocked the entire country. A massive manhunt is now under way to track down the gunman, who escaped into nearby bushland and is believed to be heavily armed and extremely dangerous.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed that the slain officers were a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable. A third officer, who sustained gunshot wounds, remains in hospital after undergoing surgery, though his injuries are not considered life-threatening. The shooting took place at approximately 10:30 local time on Tuesday, when ten officers arrived at a residential property in Porepunkah to execute a search warrant. According to Commissioner Bush, the officers came under heavy fire as soon as they attempted to carry out the operation.

“This was a cold-blooded murder of two of our own,” Commissioner Bush told reporters at a sombre press briefing. “They went to work today, dedicated to serving the community, and they did not come home. Victoria Police are fully deployed to bring this matter to a peaceful conclusion, but make no mistake—this person is heavily armed, dangerous, and must be apprehended.”

The suspect, whose name has not yet been formally released, is reported to have fled on foot into the dense bushland surrounding the property. A wide cordon has been established around the town, and specialist units including homicide detectives, the Armed Crime Squad, the Fugitive Squad, and tactical operations police have been deployed in the search. Authorities have urged residents in and around Porepunkah to remain indoors and follow police instructions until further notice.

The incident has deeply unsettled the tight-knit community. “Nothing like this ever happens here. This is a really, really horrible situation,” one local resident told the BBC. Emily White, who runs a caravan park close to the scene, said she and her staff had been forced into lockdown. “We’re such a small community. We leave our cars unlocked, our doors open. To think that two officers went to work today and didn’t come home is terrifying. Everyone is on edge.”

Adding to the gravity of the situation, police have confirmed they are also searching for the suspect’s wife and two children, who have not yet been located. However, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest they followed him into the bush. Commissioner Bush declined to provide details on the nature of the search warrant being executed, but emphasised that the suspect had been known to authorities prior to the shooting.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the tragedy as “utterly heart-breaking” and said it served as a painful reminder of the dangers police face daily. “Today is a tragic day for Victoria. Every resource is being deployed to apprehend the suspect, and we stand with Victoria Police and the community of Porepunkah in this dark hour,” she said. Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley also paid tribute, stating that “the whole country will be feeling this very deeply. Our police run towards danger, they do not turn away.”

The Police Association of Victoria issued a statement expressing devastation over what it called the “senseless murder” of its members. “These brave officers went to work today like they did every day, to protect the community. Their dedication to protecting the lives of others cost them their own,” the union said, pledging support for the families and colleagues left grieving. Wayne Gatt, the association’s secretary, added: “Police stations across Victoria have fallen silent. There’s a shocking and eerie feeling of dread. But even now, hundreds of our members are risking their lives as they search for the gunman.”

As the town remains in lockdown, schools in the area were briefly placed under emergency measures, with students kept inside for several hours before being allowed to return home under strict supervision. The Alpine Shire Council Mayor, Sarah Nicholas, described the day as one of “deep sorrow and shock” for the local community. “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, urging residents to stay safe and follow police instructions.

Australian media have reported that the suspect may have links to the “sovereign citizen” movement, known for rejecting the legitimacy of government authority and law enforcement. While the Australian Federal Police has said most adherents of this ideology are non-violent, recent years have seen a rise in such movements, with concerns expressed that some individuals within them pose a growing threat of violence. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether this belief system played a role in Tuesday’s incident.

For now, Victoria Police remain focused on the manhunt, warning locals that the suspect is considered armed and highly dangerous. “We will do everything possible to ensure this person is brought into custody,” Commissioner Bush said, adding that specialist teams were combing bushland and using aerial support to track the fugitive.

The killings mark one of the darkest days in recent memory for Victoria Police, and the tragedy is already being seen as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by officers in rural communities, where isolation and delayed reinforcements can heighten risks. For Porepunkah, a quiet town suddenly thrust into the heart of a national crisis, the grief is overwhelming—and the fear will not subside until the suspect is found.