Police tell suspect to ring triple zero as they will ‘support a surrender plan’
Brett Kahan goes on to directly address Dezi Freeman, in case he is watching the press conference:
If Dezi Freeman is watching this, ring triple zero, and we will support a surrender plan, that option is absolutely open to him.
Victoria police are working through a strategic resourcing plan in anticipation of the search continuing into the weekend, Russell Barrett says.
He says the messaging for locals is not to stay inside, but to “be vigilant”.
Asked how he anticipates the situation will unfold in the coming days, he says:
I hope safely. I hope for the arrest of Dezi Freeman and [to] bring him to justice for our members.
This is one of the more or the most difficult matters that I’ve dealt with and one of the most difficult matters in Victoria police’s history. The community support goes a long way to helping us work our way through it … Thank you.
Updated at 00.20 EDT
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PM offers condolences to families of police officers killed in Porepunkah
Krishani Dhanji
Before the lower house gets into question time, Anthony Albanese offers his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two police officers killed in Victoria, and the third officer who was injured and remains in hospital.
Albanese says he’s told the Victorian government that the federal government “stands ready” to provide support where needed.
Right now the Victoria police are still engaged in their search for the killer at the centre of these terrible events … I’ve been speaking regularly with Victoria premier Jacinta Allan, and the commonwealth stands ready to provide any support now or in the future.
I understand in these raw early days, the close knit community of Porepunkah is grappling with the sense of horror and also disbelief.
The events are a “sombre reminder”, says Albanese, of the dangers police officers face every day to keep communities safe.
I say it not just on behalf of this parliament, but as Australia’s prime minister on behalf of every Australian. Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson was a hero. Senior constable Vadim De Waart was a hero. They’ll be honoured and remembered as heroes by Victoria police, by Victorians, by all of us and all Australians.
Updated at 00.37 EDT
Police tell suspect to ring triple zero as they will ‘support a surrender plan’
Brett Kahan goes on to directly address Dezi Freeman, in case he is watching the press conference:
If Dezi Freeman is watching this, ring triple zero, and we will support a surrender plan, that option is absolutely open to him.
Victoria police are working through a strategic resourcing plan in anticipation of the search continuing into the weekend, Russell Barrett says.
He says the messaging for locals is not to stay inside, but to “be vigilant”.
Asked how he anticipates the situation will unfold in the coming days, he says:
I hope safely. I hope for the arrest of Dezi Freeman and [to] bring him to justice for our members.
This is one of the more or the most difficult matters that I’ve dealt with and one of the most difficult matters in Victoria police’s history. The community support goes a long way to helping us work our way through it … Thank you.
Updated at 00.20 EDT
Police say anyone harbouring fugitive will be prosecuted for criminal offence
Russell Barrett is asked about recent raids that have been undertaken in properties near the township of Porepunkah, which we have brought to you on the live blog.
He says there are a “number of properties” that police are searching and a “number of inquiries open to us that we’re working through systematically”.
What I would say to the community and say to anyone who may be considering harbouring or supporting [Dezi Freeman], they need to reconsider. They’re committing a criminal offence, and we will prosecute them.
They believe the property he was living on is currently vacant; however, Dezi Freeman’s wife has been spoken to, and police are continuing to speak to her, Barrett says.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since he went missing.
Asked if they can shed light on what loud banging noises were that reporters heard yesterday evening, he replies:
No, I can’t.
Updated at 00.17 EDT
Police superintendent urges people heading to snow to avoid Porepunkah
Superintendent Brett Kahan urges anyone thinking of heading to the snow this weekend to “avoid Porepunkah”.
This is an area of significant police activity. There’s other alternative routes to the snow.
The township of Porepunkah would never have seen the number of police in and around that town every before, and that’s something we’ll continue to do until the area of activity shifts.
But it’s important for us to give that township and neighbouring townships some reassurance through some patrols that we’re also thinking of them … giving them reassurance that they are safe while this fugitive is at large is really important to us.
Superintendent Brett Kahan and deputy commissioner regional operations Russell Barrett. Photograph: Nine NewsShare
Updated at 00.14 EDT
Search for Dezi Freeman over ‘dangerous terrain’ will be ‘protracted’, police say
Russell Barrett says the “major police operation” is continuing with “every available asset” being used to attempt to locate Dezi Freeman.
We have assistance from other policing organisations here on the ground in an effort to quickly apprehend the offender.
That’s our purpose, and we will not rest until it occurs … We will not rest until we apprehend the offender.
He adds it is “fair to say we’ve got a protracted search” and it’s “really difficult terrain” that police are navigating.
It’s not something that we, even with our specialist resources, can move through quickly, because it’s dangerous terrain as well. So we will tread carefully through that terrain, because we obviously don’t want to put any of our members in danger.
Updated at 00.12 EDT
Deputy commissioner pays tribute to killed officers in press conference
Victoria police is holding a press conference in Wangaratta now.
Deputy commissioner regional operations Russell Barrett starts by paying tribute to the two officers that has lost their lives, one of whom, Neal Thompson, was only “a week or two” from retirement, and the other, Vadim De Waart, who was “looking forward to the future”.
He says conducting a warrant is what police do “every day” and “every member” can put themselves in the shoes of their two fallen colleagues.
It’s devastating, it’s hard to talk to.
The third officer who was injured is recovering from surgery in hospital, police confirm.
He’ll take some time to recover, but I acknowledge him and his family and the family of our two fallen members, just my absolute respect and deepest sympathies.
Updated at 00.07 EDT
Wangaratta to illuminate its Water Tower in blue for remainder of week
As we await that police press conference, Wangaratta’s council has announced it will illuminate its Water Tower in blue this week in honour of Victoria police.
In a statement, the council expressed its “deep sadness and shock at the tragic deaths of two Victoria Police members yesterday in Porepunkah”.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and police colleagues during this difficult time, as well as to our neighbours in the Alpine Shire Council community.
In remembrance of the two Victoria Police members and to honour the extraordinary work of Victoria Police in protecting and supporting our community, the Water Tower will be illuminated in blue this week.
Both officers who were killed were part of Wangaratta’s police force.
Detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson, 59, had been with the Wangaratta criminal investigation unit since 2007, while senior constable Vadim De Waart, 35, was on a temporary assignment in the regional city.
Updated at 23.48 EDT
Cait Kelly
Police set up roadblock limiting access to property
Police have just set up another roadblock near Rayner Track, the scene of Tuesday’s shooting.
The roadblock is in the same position it was last night, and the helicopter can be heard flying overhead.
Last night there was heavy police presence in the area, with the helicopter flying overhead and several Bearcats. Earlier today the roadblock had been taken down, with access to the property allowed.
Police warned media about going near the property.
A line of police vehicles, including at least one Bearcat, could seen parked further down the road.
It follows at least two raids on properties this morning.
Updated at 23.34 EDT
Cait Kelly
Media moved on from raid site
The media have been asked to move away from a property on the outskirts of Porepunkah that heavily armed officers just raided.
It’s believed to be the second raid on a property around the town today.
Officers from the critical incident response team were seen entering a large shed on the property before searching other areas of the property.
Plainclothes officers had just entered the main dwelling before the media were asked to leave the area for safety reasons. No one else was seen.
Updated at 23.34 EDT
Catie McLeod
Victoria police to address media from Wangaratta this afternoon
I’m back in Wangaratta at the police station, where we are expecting a press conference at 2pm.
In the foyer of the police station there are many bouquets of flowers and cards with written tributes for the two officers who were shot and killed in Porepunkah on Tuesday, as well as messages of condolence for their families and colleagues.
On a table covered in a white cloth are framed photos of the men who died: detective leading senior constable Neal Thompson, 59, a local detective who had been planning his retirement, and senior constable Vadim De Waart, 35, who was on temporary assignment in Victoria’s Alpine region.
Updated at 23.08 EDT
Caves and goldmines in Alpine region could allow suspect to hide ‘for weeks’, expert says
A drone expert says Dezi Freeman could evade police detection “for weeks” by hiding in a cave or goldmine if he has sufficient supplies.
Appearing on ABC News, operations manager at C-Astral Aerospace Search and Rescue, Michael Coates, said Victoria police would be using a range of aerial devices to attempt to find the suspected shooter amid tough weather conditions, including optical, infrared and thermal cameras on its helicopter as well as drones.
Probably the best asset for this search and rescue because of the foliage and the brush would be thermal. That’s a camera that can actually filter out the vegetation and show you what’s on the ground. With technology we can filter out things like kangaroos, wombats, sheep and cows, and identify the shape of the person either walking, running, or … hiding.
Coates said it was “very difficult” for people to disguise their thermal image, unless they went to hide in a cave or a large overhang.
There’s goldmines in the area. You can drop down into one of them if it’s vertical or go in on the side of the hill, and that would allow you to evade detection as long as you stay there [but] one day you’re going to have to come out.
It’s a horrible place to be at the moment with low cloud, rain, sleet. If you’re wet, you’ve got a good chance of dying within 24 hours, but if you’re tucked away in a cave somewhere, and you have got a stash of supplies … you could stay there for weeks.
A police helicopter hovers above the Rayner Track property where the shooting occurred. Photograph: Stuart Walmsley/The GuardianShare
Updated at 23.07 EDT
Pets caught up in Porepunkah shutdown
Pets have been stuck on their own in Porepunkah as police continue to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel.
The local vet, Alpine Animal Doctors, posted on social media that they had received calls from people whose pets were “stuck alone at the epicentre of the current situation”.
We completely understand how stressful and distressing this must feel. At this time, it remains an active situation, and the police already have a great deal to manage. We kindly ask the community to bear with us during this crisis and allow the authorities to do their jobs safely.
Please be reassured — as long as pets have access to water, they will be okay for the moment.
Meanwhile, the Porepunkah Pub said it was remaining closed for lunch for a third day following advice from Victoria police and would be “assessing tonight’s trade by this afternoon”.
Our staff have been instructed not to leave their homes, and their safety, along with that of our guests and wider community, remains our top priority.
Updated at 22.45 EDT
Cait Kelly
Officers continue to search property
Officers are still at the property they have just searched on the outskirts of Porepunkah.
A fleet of seven police cars entered the property before officers, dressed fully in black and carrying guns, entered the dwellings. They have at least one dog with them.
They searched a caravan and a ute both parked next to the shed. They also entered the main house which is two storeys and looks out on to Mt Buffalo and the Buckland Valley.
The property is listed online as holiday accommodation for those “wanting the peace and quiet of a rural homestead”, sleeping up to six people across three bedrooms. According to its website, it has been booked out all month and remains occupied until this weekend. The person listed as the contact for the property could not be reached for comment.
Journalists have been cleared out of the area.
Updated at 22.27 EDT
Armed officers enter shed near Porepunkah townshipCait Kelly
A group of armed officers have just entered a shed in a property outside Porepunkah.
The officers were seen leaving in convoy from the command centre before arriving at the property where they entered in single file, dressed in black and carrying guns.
They also searched a caravan on the property.
A group of plainclothes officers followed, who have just entered the shed.
More to come.
Updated at 22.14 EDT
Cait Kelly
Helicopters return to land at Porepunkah
A police helicopter has just landed back at the operation command centre, which is located in a winery outside Porepunkah.
It was followed by an ambulance helicopter which landed just minutes later.
A group of camouflaged officers, believed to be from both Victoria police and the AFP, have been standing outside the main building for the last 30 minutes. They have at least one sniffer dog with them.
Scenes from the operations centre, at Feathertop Winery, just west of Porepunkah. Photograph: Stuart Walmsley/The Guardian
It’s an unusual scene – the rows of dormant vines punctuated by police vehicles and officers.
Police are not publicly announcing their search locations, but the Mount Buffalo national park, which the winery overlooks, is now closed to visitors.
On the park’s website, it says:
Mount Buffalo national park is closed to the public due to the ongoing Victoria Police incident at Porepunkah.
The park will reopen once the incident is resolved. We ask all visitors planning to visit the park to follow Victoria Police advice and avoid the area.
Updated at 22.07 EDT
Nick Visser
Thanks for sticking with us through the morning. Caitlin Cassidy is taking over the blog from here.
Updated at 22.05 EDT