Dumbalk North: Shots fired at police, gunman caught after fleeing

A gunman who allegedly fired shots when police attempted to execute a firearms warrant on a rural property has been caught after sparking a major incident.

A gunman who allegedly fired at police, sparking a major emergency in rural Victoria, has been arrested.

He was being flown to hospital by air ambulance after the injured man was caught after he fled following a shootout with police in the Gippsland region, southeast of Melbourne.

The “dynamic incident” began about 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon when officers from Victoria Police’s illicit firearms squad attempted to execute a warrant at a Foster-Mirboo Road address in Dumbalk North.

“At this early stage in the investigation, it’s believed a man who resides at the address has fired shots at detectives,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

Police have cordoned off roads. Picture: Jack Colantuono/ Herald Sun.

The spokeswoman said officers returned fire but the man “fled the scene on foot”.

After a tense three hours that had residents locked in their homes, the man was found and arrested.

“A 56-year-old man was located injured at the property on Foster-Mirboo Road just after 5pm,” Victoria Police said.

“He has been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”

Armed Crime Squad detectives are investigating.

Police had warned members of the public to avoid the area.

“The area has been cordoned off and a significant police presence will be on scene.”

Footage taken from the scene on Friday afternoon to show about a dozen police cars situated on Milford Rd.

No police officers were physically injured during the incident.

Roads in the area have been cordoned off with Victoria Police vowing a “significant police presence” will remain until the man is located.

Police are at the scene of an unconfirmed siege in Dumbalk North on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

Dumbalk North is southeast of Melbourne. Picture: Google

One local resident told the Herald-Sun police had told them to stay inside and lock the doors.

Earlier, a police spokeswoman said the situation was “dynamic” with reports of shots have been fired.

Dumbalk North is a regional locality 150km southeast of Melbourne in Victoria’s south Gippsland region and has a population of 90.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Originally published as Dumbalk North: Shots fired at police, gunman caught after fleeing