Manhunt Underway After 'Heavily Armed' Man Shoots and Kills 2 Police Officers in Rural Australian Town: 'Murdered In Cold Blood' By Becca Longmire

A manhunt is underway after a man shot and killed two police officers in a rural town in Victoria, Australia, authorities have confirmed.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, shortly after 10:30 a.m. local time, two on-duty officers were fatally shot and a third was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body while 10 police officers were attending a property on Rayner Track in the town of Porepunkah, per a Victoria Police news release.

“At this time, no other officers have been physically injured,” police said in the release.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being determined and it remains an active and ongoing situation.”

“It’s believed the offender has since left the property and at this time his whereabouts are unknown,” police added. “A significant search is actively underway to locate the man.”

“We urge the public in and around the township of Porepunkah to remain indoors until further notice,” the release continued. “We also ask people not to travel into the area.”

The town of Porepunkah is located just over 186 miles north-east of Melbourne, close to the popular destination of Bright, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

According to the Herald Sun, the accused shooter has been revealed as Dezi Freeman. The suspect is on the run with hostages, the outlet noted.

Freeman is a local man in his 50s and identifies himself as a “sovereign citizen,” the ABC reported.

Victoria Police declined to identify the suspected shooter in an email to PEOPLE, adding that officers “are yet to locate the offender’s family, but nor have we confirmed he has them with him.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush called the incident “a terribly tragic event” while speaking in a brief video statement, per the BBC.

In a further update, Bush confirmed a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old Senior Constable had died in the attack, according to the ABC.

“The suspect for this horrific event is still at large. We believe he is armed,” Bush said, insisting, “Our priority is to arrest him, to ensure he is held to account for his actions,” per the outlet.

Bush also commented on reports that the suspect has family members with him while speaking to reporters, stating that police “are still looking to locate his partner and two children, but he was not seen [heading] into the bush with them,” according to the BBC. He said the two officers had been “murdered in cold blood,” adding that the other seven officers who attended the scene are “physically okay” but obviously “very traumatized,” the outlet noted.

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The Chief Commissioner said the suspect is “heavily armed” and “dangerous,” the BBC stated.

The ABC noted that police had been executing a warrant for historical sex offences at a property near Porepunkah when the shooting occurred. Police declined to confirm why they had been at the property in an email to PEOPLE.

Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, was among the many to post on social media about the tragedy. 

Allan wrote in a statement on X, “Victoria Police officers, and all our first responders, show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day,” adding, “They are the best of us – and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today.”

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Police across Australia also paid tribute to the officers killed in the attack.

Queensland Police Service wrote on Facebook, “On behalf of the Queensland Police Service, we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic loss of the Victoria Police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

New South Wales (NSW) Police Force added on the social media site, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Victoria Police following the tragic loss of two officers today. We also send our support to the third officer who was seriously injured.”

“Our thoughts are with their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire community as they navigate this profoundly difficult time,” the post added.