Australia: Shooting in rural Porepunkah property leaves two Victorian Police Officers dead, one injured

Victoria Police wrote on X: "Victoria Police continues to respond to an incident at a property in Porepunkah."

Four sources told Guardian Australia that two officers have been killed and another wounded in the shooting.

Porepunkah is a town located 300km north-east of Melbourne.

Police have instructed local residents to avoid the area.

"This is still an active incident and we will provide more information when it's operationally safe to do so," police wrote on X.

"We ask people avoid the area," police said.

Local response to the attack

Porepunkah Primary School principal Jill Gillies told the ABC the school was in lockdown.

“Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do each and every day," she said.

A local business owner told the ABC he heard at least fifteen police cars driving through the area.

Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, responded to the incident and wrote on X: "A police operation is currently underway in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s Northeast."

She further said: " I have been briefed by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. This situation remains active."

She urged people to avoid the area.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister  Anthony Albanese has expressed concerns over the police officers involved in the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do, each and every day,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.