Australian police on Wednesday identified the gunman accused of killing two officers and injuring a third in a violent shooting that has sparked a major manhunt in the state of Victoria.
The attack took place at about 10:30 a.m. AEST on Tuesday in Porepunkah, a small town roughly 190 miles northeast of Melbourne. Ten police officers were reportedly at a property on Rayner Track when gunfire erupted. Two officers were fatally shot, while a third sustained injuries.
The suspect, who fled on foot into the surrounding bushland, has been identified as 56-year-old Desmond Filby, also known as Desmond Freeman. Authorities say he remains armed and dangerous.
“Filby is believed to be armed with firearms, and we urge people not to approach him,” Victoria Police said in a statement, adding that he may be carrying multiple weapons.
Filby is described as White, six feet tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and brown eyes. At the time of the incident, he was last seen wearing dark khaki tracksuit pants, a dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots, and reading glasses.
Since the shooting, Filby has not been sighted. Police are warning residents of Porepunkah and nearby townships to expect heightened law enforcement activity as search operations intensify. In a Facebook post, Victoria Police urged locals to remain indoors “until further notice.”
Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed during a press conference that authorities have cordoned off a large search zone. “The hunt will continue until we find him,” Bush said.
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The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police officials confirmed the officers had gone to the property to execute a warrant, but declined to provide further details. Bush noted that the officers involved included local police as well as members of the Sexual Offenses and Child Investigation Team.
“I’m not going to go into any further detail because there are victims involved in the matter, and it would be very unfair and unwise for me to talk about that any further,” Bush said.
As the manhunt continues, communities in northeast Victoria remain on edge, awaiting word of Filby’s capture.