Two officers killed, one wounded in shooting
Benita Kolovos
Three sources have confirmed to Guardian Australia that two officers have been killed and another wounded in the shooting at Porepunkah.
None were authorised to comment on the incident and only one had been directly briefed on the incident by police.
Victoria police has declined to comment on the “active” incident” until it is operationally safe to do so.
Key events
Benita Kolovos
Visibly emotional Alpine Shire mayor extends condolences to loved ones of ‘tragically killed’ officers
The mayor of the Alpine Shire, Sarah Nicholas, has just released a video statement online. In it, she says:
Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community. First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two police officers tragically killed in Porepunkah. Our thoughts, love, and unwavering support are with you during this incredibly painful time. We hold our police in the highest regard. They serve with courage, compassion, and dedication, and their loss is felt profoundly across our region. We are deeply grateful for their service and commitment.
A visibly emotional Nicholas also acknowledges it has been an “unsettling and emotional” day for the wider community. She goes on:
Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and for continuing to follow police instructions to stay safe. Your care for one another is what makes our Shire so strong. To our wonderful teachers – thank you for being a steady and calming presence for our children during today’s lockdowns. Your kindness and reassurance have made a world of difference in helping our young ones feel safe and supported.
She says all council facilities will remain closed until further notice and a council meeting planned for tonight cancelled:
We will keep our community informed as services resume. We are grieving together, and we will continue to support one another with compassion and care. Please stay safe.
Adeshola Ore
Caravan park near Porepunkah shooting site in ‘indefinite’ lockdown
Emily White, a manager at Mount Buffalo caravan park, says the site is in lockdown.
White, whose family also manages the nearby Riverview caravan park, said police had told everyone to remain at the site.
We have been told we can’t go out. No one came come in.
We don’t know how long. It’s indefinite right now.
White said a nearby checkpoint, about 500m from the Mount Buffalo Caravan Park, could only be passed by police officers.
Meanwhile, the ABC is reporting that parents local to the area are able to pick up their children from Porepunkah primary school, which had been in lockdown since this morning.
Almost two dozen police cars at site of shooting as helicopter conducts search, airfield officer says
Earlier, we reported that Porepunkah airfield was closed due to the emergency response. Its airfield active reporting officer, Mark Simpson, appeared on ABC Melbourne radio earlier to provide an update on the unfolding situation.
He said from his location, at a roundabout near the incident site, en route to the airfield, he could see about 15 stationary police cars and seven or eight undercover cars.
The roundabout also leads into the nearby township of Mount Buffalo.
A helicopter continued to search the area, Simpson said. He has been told to remain put.
[The helicopter] has taken off from the airfield, been refuelled and is still searching for a person.
Adeshola Ore
One person treated for ‘serious lower body injuries’, Ambulance Victoria confirms.
Ambulance Victoria has released a statement about its response to the Porepunkah shooting.
A spokesperson confirmed paramedics were at the scene.
Paramedics have treated one person for serious lower body injuries and transported [them] by air ambulance in a stable condition.
Porepunkah airfield closed due to ‘emergency response’
The Porepunkah airfield has confirmed it has been closed due to the ongoing “emergency response”. Police and emergency services still have access.
The airfield is situated two nautical miles south of the Porepunkah township, east of Mt. Buffalo national park. It is usually home to general and recreational aircraft, trikes, sailplanes, paramotors and radio-controlled models.
Earlier, the airfield active reporting officer, Mark Simpson, told Guardian Australia he was stuck at the roundabout near the incident amid about 10 police vehicles, as the road heading south had been blocked off.
Helicopter continuing to circle over Porepunkah, police reportedly on scene in camouflage gear
ABC Goulburn Murray reporter Erin Somerville is speaking to ABC Melbourne radio to provide an update from the scene, which she says is “eerily still”.
There are still dozens of police here at Porepunkah on a major tourist roundabout … We’ve recently, in the last hour, seen a very big, large, armoured police vehicle pass by, heading towards Mount Buffalo. We’ve also seen a number of police cars head down to a paddock towards the mountains.
It’s very steep, very dense, very mountainous terrain … We still currently have a helicopter circling above a paddock just across the road from a very popular caravan park … into the foothills, which lead into Mount Buffalo …
We also have a range of tactical support that have come in … We have what appear to be undercover police officers as well. We also saw one or two police officers who were wearing what looked like camouflage gear.
Somerville said hikers had disappeared “for days” in the landscape, who had “wanted to be found”, so thick was the terrain.
Nick Visser
To recap, here’s what we know so far:
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The police were attending a rural property about 300km north-east of Melbourne on Tuesday to serve a warrant.
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Two officers have been killed and another wounded.
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Wangaratta police said there was still an “active incident” and have urged people to avoid the area.
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The local council closed all council facilities “effective immediately” and Porepunkah primary school remained in lockdown.
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The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, said the thoughts of “all Victorians” were with the police, saying the response showed first responders’ “extraordinary bravery and courage”.
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The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said his thoughts were with the “police for the work they do, each and every day”. He said “the men and women who wear the uniform of the police take risks” for everyone.
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The ABC has reported a strong police presence in the area, with about 50 officers in uniform and plainclothes in the vicinity. A police dog was also reportedly on site.
Queensland premier sends ‘thoughts and prayers’ to Porepunkah
Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, has sent “thoughts and prayers” to Victoria police after the confirmation of the deaths of two police officers.
Posting to X, Crisafulli said:
The thoughts and prayers of Queenslanders are with the Victorian Police family this afternoon. Police face dangers every day to keep us safe. This incident is another tragic reminder of that. The community of Porepunkah and all those impacted by this tragedy are in our hearts today.
Victoria police has again confirmed that officers continue to respond to the incident, which remains active, and are asking people to avoid the area.
What Porepunkah and the Alpine region are like
At this time of year, Victoria’s High Country is usually home to keen holidaymakers visiting the region for official snow season in resort towns like Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
Bright, less than 10km from Porepunkah, is a regular stop for tourists, famous for its cycling routes, breweries and boutique stores.
Despite its small size, Porepunkah also picks up its share of tourism, part of the Murray to Mountains rail trail and featuring a number of cellar doors, produce and picnic options, as well as providing an easy entry point to the ski town of Mount Buffalo.
But it’s a different scene today, with dozens of officers amassing on the region from Wangaratta and Wodonga.
The site of the incident is close to a number of caravan parks, motels and accommodation options, as well as the popular Porepunkah Pub.
Students at Porepunkah Primary School being distracted with movies and coding, principal says
Porepunkah Primary School is still in lockdown as the end of the school day approaches, its principal has confirmed.
Speaking on ABC Melbourne radio, Jill Gillies said about 90 students were being distracted with movies, coding and touch typing.
Teachers are absolute superstars and I have the best bunch of staff, they’ve had the kids in lockdown since around 11.30 this morning, they are masters at being able to be creative to find fun things to engage the kids and distract.
Our teachers are amazing and the kids are super resilient.
Gillies said the school was awaiting direction from the police over the length of the lockdown but children would be able to remain overnight if needed.
We have food and access to toilets and comfort items … let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
We have to wait direction from the police, we’re really unsure at this stage. I just keep letting our parents know that we’re still in lockdown and I’ll keep them informed as we get closer to [the school day ending].
Benita Kolovos
‘We stand with you’: Victorian opposition leader pays tribute to emergency services
The opposition leader, Brad Battin, has also made a statement to parliament. He says his thoughts are with all Victorian emergency services across the state:
We know with an active situation up there, it’s not just the emergency services, it’s the local community that is impacted. We hear of lockdowns in schools.
We send out our thoughts to the families, the parents and everyone involved with those schools as well … We hope there is a quick resolution and more information comes out as soon as possible, but to every single Victoria police officer today, we stand with you, we stand beside you and we’ll continue to.
Victorian premier says ‘situation remains active’ and praises bravery of police
Benita Kolovos
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is beginning parliament’s question time with a brief statement on the Porepunkah shooting. She says:
A police operation is currently under way in Porepunkah in Victoria’s north-east. The police minister and I have been briefed by the chief commissioner of the Victoria police and this situation remains active.
Victoria police officers and all of our first responders show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day. They are the best of us.
I do ask the Victorian community, particularly those in that beautiful part of the north-east of our state, to follow the advice of Victoria police. More information will be provided by Victoria police to the Victorian community as it becomes available.
It’s worth noting Allan has changed into a black suit – she was previously dressed in red at a press conference this morning.
Australian Federal Police Association stands ready to support Victorian officers
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has separately confirmed that one officer has been wounded and two others are believed, but not confirmed, to be deceased after police executed a warrant at a rural property in Porepunkah.
This is an active and unfolding situation, with emergency services working tirelessly to secure the area and keep the community safe.
Its president, Alex Caruana, said the association and its 4,000-plus members stood in solidarity with its Victorian counterparts.
Our members across the country are thinking of Victoria Police and their families today.
Policing is dangerous and unpredictable work, and what has happened in Porepunkah is a reminder of the risks officers face every day in keeping the community safe.
The AFPA is ready to support The Police Association Victoria (TPAV) and stands prepared if required. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our TPAV and Victoria Police colleagues and their loved ones as more details emerge.
Victoria’s premier says the state’s thoughts are with the police force, situation remains active
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says the thoughts of “all Victorians” are with Victoria police in her first public statement on the incident.
Posting to X, Allan urged the community to follow the advice of Victoria police and avoid the area:
A police operation is currently underway in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s Northeast. I have been briefed by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.
This situation remains active. Victoria Police officers, and all our first responders, show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day. They are the best of us – and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today. Please follow the advice of Victoria Police and avoid the area.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Two officers killed, one wounded in shooting
Benita Kolovos
Three sources have confirmed to Guardian Australia that two officers have been killed and another wounded in the shooting at Porepunkah.
None were authorised to comment on the incident and only one had been directly briefed on the incident by police.
Victoria police has declined to comment on the “active” incident” until it is operationally safe to do so.
Dozens of police officers in vicinity of incident, ABC reports
The Police Association Victoria has released a statement noting it is aware of a “critical incident” that has unfolded in the north-eastern part of the state which is affecting its members.
We have sent critical incident support teams to the area to assist and support the impacted members, their families and colleagues.
It comes as the ABC is reporting a strong police presence of about 50 officers in uniform and plainclothes in the vicinity of the incident.
An ABC reporter in the area told the public broadcaster’s news channel that in the past 10 minutes, a large contingent of officers took off on the road behind them. A dog from a police squad was also released into a nearby paddock.
Media have been directed to a cordoned off area as the situation continues to unfold, the reporter said:
When I did speak to police earlier, they did indicate that the heavy police presence had come from across the region, as you can imagine, to help out with this unfolding incident. We’re still seeing police cars coming in from the direction of Wodonga and Wangaratta as I’m speaking to you. I followed police cars the whole way from Wodonga.
The HM5 air ambulance has just taken off again and is heading back to Melbourne, while a police chopper is also on the move.
