Tragedy Strikes Rural Australia: Two Officers Killed in Porepunkah Shooting

A tragic incident unfolded in the rural town of Porepunkah, Victoria, as two police officers were slain and another injured in a shooting, authorities reported on Tuesday. The suspect is still on the run, prompting an extensive manhunt.

The chaos erupted during a police visit in the midmorning hours. Residents, numbering just over a thousand, were urged to remain indoors amidst uncertainty about the gunman's location. Schools and public buildings—integral to the local community—were swiftly placed on lockdown.

The somber episode has reignited conversations surrounding gun violence in Australia, a country known for its stringent firearm regulations since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. As helicopters and K-9 units continued their search, the poignant memory of past shooting incidents lingered in the hearts of many Australians.

(With inputs from agencies.)