Tragic Shootout in Porepunkah: Two Officers Killed, Suspect At Large

Wellington, New Zealand, Aug 26 (AP)—Tragedy struck rural Australia as two police officers were shot dead and another was seriously injured during a visit to a property in Porepunkah, a small town in Victoria state, 320 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. The suspect remains at large, according to authorities.

The incident unfolded in the midmorning hours, yet by late afternoon, the whereabouts of the gunman were still unknown, and the deaths were first confirmed publicly. Law enforcement has not yet disclosed why 10 officers were present at the scene or provided further context about the event.

In response to the shooting, residents were advised to stay indoors, with all public buildings and the nearby airfield shut down. The local school, serving just over 100 students, was in lockdown for several hours before students were permitted to leave. Porepunkah, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and scenery, serves as a gateway to Victoria's alpine tourist attractions.

Kevin Morton, president of the Police Federation of Australia, expressed his sorrow at what he described as the "callous murder" of two Victorian officers and the grievous injury sustained by another. Victoria's ambulance service reported that the wounded officer, suffering from serious lower body injuries, was airlifted to a hospital and is stable.

A significant search effort is underway, marked by the deployment of helicopters and police canines, according to Australian news outlets stationed in Porepunkah.

The tragic event follows the 2023 shooting of a police officer in South Australia, a reminder of the rare yet impactful nature of such incidents in the country. In 2022, another shooting in Queensland claimed the lives of two officers at the hands of conspiracy theorists antagonistic towards the police; the shooters were eventually subdued and killed after a prolonged confrontation.

Shooting incidents garner extensive national media attention due to their infrequency in Australia. The Port Arthur massacre in 1996, where 35 people were killed, led to the implementation of stringent gun control laws, significantly restricting firearm acquisitions among Australians.

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