Sydney [Australia], August 27: Two police officers have been shot dead while executing an arrest warrant in the Australian state of Victoria, while a third officer was seriously injured and will require surgery, police sources told media on Tuesday.
The deceased officers were 59 and 35 years old, the ABC news channel reported, citing law-enforcers. The incident occurred in the countryside near Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Victoria's capital. The officers were trying to execute an arrest warrant for sexual offences, according to reports.
The 56-year-old shooter was said to have been on the run with several weapons and may have family members, including children, with him, according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
The police were initially unable to confirm this.
The man is a highly dangerous person, said Police Commissioner Mike Bush, adding that the suspect murdered the officers "in cold blood."
A large-scale search for the suspected perpetrator involving a helicopter and dog units was launched in the afternoon. The population was urged via text message to stay at home and exercise extreme caution.
Source: Qatar Tribune
