SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian police are hunting a gunman who shot dead two officers and wounded another on Tuesday as they tried to serve a warrant at a rural property in the state of Victoria.
In a video statement, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said 10 officers were met with gunfire at a property in Porepunkah, about 300 km (186 miles) north-east of the city of Melbourne at around 10.30 a.m. (1230 GMT).
Bush said the officers were fired upon, with two killed and one seriously injured and being treated in hospital. He urged residents to stay at home while police searched for the gunman.
“We have deployed all specialist resources into the area to arrest the person responsible. Detectives, special operations groups are currently there looking for this person,” he said.
“We will do everything to bring this person into custody so that your community is safe.”
The Age said the officers were serving a warrant for historical sex abuse allegations when they were ambushed by the gunman, who then fled with several family members, including children.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said police believe the shooter is a “sovereign citizen”. Sovereign citizens believe the government is illegitimate.
The town of Porepunkah is home to 1,000 residents and is located at the base of Australia’s alpine ranges.
“Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two police officers tragically killed in Porepunkah,” Mayor Sarah Nicholas said in a statement.
The local council’s facilities across the town, including libraries, information centres and depots, would remain closed until further notice, Nicholas added.
Porepunkah Primary School principal Jill Gillies told ABC Radio Melbourne that the school was forced to lockdown, with around 90 students sheltering indoors from 11.30 a.m. local time. ABC has since reported that the lockdown had been lifted.
The local airfield also closed due to the ongoing emergency response.
(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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