Two police officers have been shot and killed, and a gunman remains at large after what is being described as an "ambush" in a rural town.
Ten police officers attended a property in Porepunkah, about 300km north-east of Melbourne, at around 10.30am on Tuesday, Victoria Police said in a statement. They were there to execute a search warrant.
Two officers were killed when a man shot at them. A third was seriously injured and is undergoing surgery.
The officers killed were a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable, Victoria Police chief commissioner Mike Bush told reporters in Wangaratta on Tuesday evening.
"They were met by the offender, and they were murdered in cold blood," Bush said.
A "significant" search is underway for the man, who is believed to have fled the property, and whose whereabouts are unknown.
"Our priority is to arrest him, to ensure he is held to account for his actions," Bush said.
"It is a full deployment; every available person is out there looking for this suspect.."
Porepunkah is located around 300km north-east of Melbourne. Source: SBS News
The man was known to police, and a risk assessment had been conducted before officers executed the search warrant, Bush said.
"This is a terribly tragic event for the police family, not just here but across the country," Bush said. "We all feel this."
Police said earlier on Tuesday that the exact circumstances surrounding the incident were still being determined, and it remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Hundreds of officers have been deployed to the town and its surrounds. Source: AAP / Simon Dallinger
Police urged the public in and around the Victorian town to remain indoors until further notice, and asked people not to travel into the area. The town has around 1,000 residents.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government's thoughts were with the force, acknowledging there were concerns for "some of the police officers who are involved".
"The men and women who wear our uniform and wear the uniform of the police force, take risks each and every day," Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
Prime minister says 'sovereign citizen' ideology a concern
The ABC reported that police believed the shooter was a "sovereign citizen". Sovereign citizens view the government as illegitimate and falsely believe they are not subject to laws.
In an interview with ABC on Tuesday evening, the prime minister said that Australians who held "sovereign citizen" beliefs were of "real concern".
"We know that the director-general of ASIO has warned about far-right extremism.
"This is something that has permeated other nations as well. We see it being multiplied in the United States ... this ideology of not seeing themselves being subject to our laws and our society.
"ASIO have warned that this threat is very real, and that we need to be very vigilant about it."
Police have told people to avoid the area. The town of Porepunkah is home to around 1,000 residents. Source: AAP / Simon Dallinger
Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said the group's members stood in solidarity with their Victorian counterparts.
"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," Caruana said.
Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said the "senseless murder" of their mates has left every officer mourning.
"They will go home and hug their families tighter than usual, in the sad and sobering knowledge that two of their colleagues lost that privilege in service of the community," he said.
Premier says 'thoughts of all Victorians' are with police
"Victoria Police officers, and all our first responders, show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day," Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said on social media.
"They are the best of us — and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today."
Police officers woke up and went to work each day knowing there was a risk, state Opposition leader Brad Battin said.
"Events like this will impact each and every police officer across Victoria and across Australia," the former police officer said.
Following the incident, Porepunkah Primary School, Bright P-12 College and early childhood services in the area went into lockdown.
Parents at both schools have been allowed to collect their children at the end of the school day.
All council buildings in the Alpine Shire Council have been closed until further notice, as has Porepunkah Airfield.
Mayor Sarah Nicholas said it was a day of deep sorrow and shock for the community and offered her thoughts and support for the loved ones of the officers killed.
