Manhunt continues after two police officers killed in Australia

The search was underway for a “heavily armed” suspect on Wednesday, 24 hours after two officers were shot dead in a regional area of Australia during a police operation.

Two officers were fatally shot and a third was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body during a 10-strong operation in the town of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Victoria Police said.

Local media reported that the officers were trying to execute an arrest warrant for sexual offences when they were ambushed by the 56-year-old suspect at around 10:30 am (0030 GMT) on Tuesday. A large-scale search was launched in the afternoon.

Chief commissioner of Victoria Police, Mike Bush, on Wednesday said that the team that went to the Porepunkah property were “local officers and members of the sexual offences and child investigation team,” without providing further details.

Bush said on Wednesday morning that the suspect is “heavily armed,” carrying multiple firearms including long guns, and “still at large.”

“I can assure everyone that we are pouring every resource into this search,” Bush said, adding that this is not a “hostage situation” and that the man’s family was safe.

“The hunt will continue until we find him,” Bush said, calling for residents to stay home if possible and discouraging anyone from helping him.

“Don’t support this person. He’s very dangerous. He has killed two police officers and injured a third. He does not deserve anyone’s assistance,” the Victoria Police boss said.

According to local reports, the alleged perpetrator was living in a bus on the premises and is said to be a so-called sovereign citizen – a member of a small subsection of the population who believe they are not subject to state laws.