10 Australian Police Shot By Gunman, 2 Killed

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Zoe Askew

JAKARTA - Australian police are hunting for a gunman who shot dead two officers and injured another in the countryside in the state of Victoria.

Victorian Police Chief Mike Bush said 10 officers were shot in Porepunkah, about 300 km, northeast of Melbourne at around 10.30 am local time, Tuesday, August 26.

Bush said officers were fired, with two people dead and one seriously injured and hospitalized.

"We have deployed all specialist resources to the area to arrest the person in charge. Detectives and special operations teams are currently looking for this person," he said.

The Age reported that officers were carrying out a warrant for the handling of sexual harassment cases when they were confronted by the perpetrators.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation said police believed the shooter was "a sovereign citizen" (Sovereign Citizen). Sovereign citizens believe the government is invalid.

The city of Porepunkah is home to 1,000 residents and is located at the foot of the Australian Alps.

"Today is a deep day of grief and surprise for our community. We extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the two police officers who died tragically in Porepunkah," Mayor Sarah Nicholas said in a statement.

Local council facilities across the city, including libraries, information centers, and depots, will remain closed until further notice.