Porepunkah Shooting: Worst Case Against Police Officers

Recently, in Victoria, public attention has been focused on the manhunt for the gunman responsible for killing two police officers in Porepunkah on the morning of August 26. More than 450 officers are currently involved in the investigation, and the search for the suspect has continued for four days since the incident. On September 3, over 100 properties were searched, and ADF had joined Manhunt.

What’s Happening in Porepunkah Now

The Mount Buffalo National Park surrounding Porepunkah has been closed, with roadblocks in place and a 7.5 km no-fly zone established. Police have advised people to avoid the area. The local council also closed all public facilities, including Porepunkah Primary School, which has since reopened on Thursday. Residents are no longer required to stay indoors but have been urged to remain vigilant.

Porepunkah Crime Rate: Then and Now

Porepunkah is a small town with a population of 1,024 people across 289 families, according to the 2021 Census. As of March 2025, the town recorded a total of 27 offences, with theft being the most common. Over the past decade, crime levels in Porepunkah have remained relatively steady.

Victoria Murder Rate

Victoria has recorded its highest number of murder offences in a decade, with 70 cases since 2016 compared to 49 cases in 2019. During the same period, assaults against police, emergency service workers, and other authorised officers have also remained a significant issue. In March 2024–2025, 3,392 such cases were reported. The highest figure was recorded in March 2020–2021, with 3,515 cases, coinciding with the COVID-19 lockdown period. In addition, firearms offences have also risen, reaching the highest number in the past 10 years at 5,667 cases.

The latest information is available at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/porepunkah-shooting-and-search-desmond-freeman-filby