Major police incident, reports of shots fired, in South Gippsland
A Dumbalk North gunman is on the run, shooting at police before fleeing on foot.
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A Dumbalk North gunman is on the run, shooting at police before fleeing on foot.
Members of Victoria Police’s special operations group and the critical incident response team are at the scene, 150km southeast of Melbourne.
Investigators from the illicit firearms squad executed a firearms warrant at a Foster-Mirboo Rd address about 1.30pm.
It’s believed the man — a resident of the property — then fired shots at police before running away.
Police returned fire but the man remains at large.
No police officers were physically injured. It’s unclear whether the man at the centre of the incident is injured.
Police are urging people to avoid the area and stay indoors.
An earlier Victoria Police statement said police were a Dumbalk North property as part of an ongoing investigation.
“We have reports that shots have been fired,” the statement said.
“Due to the dynamic nature of the incident, we will provide further information when we can.
“No police members have been injured.”
Police have closed off the Foster Mirboo Rd and officers are advising motorists to turn around.
Farmers Rd has also been closed at Meeniyan-Mirboo North Rd.
An officer at the scene said police were taking precautions to make sure everyone was safe.
Two ambulances were seen travelling down the road, but their lights and sirens were not activated.
Residents have reported seeing “screaming cop cars” as police swarmed the region.
Dumbalk North Tennis Club’s Matt Pocklington said there were “lots of police” in the area.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson referred media queries to Victoria Police.
Debra Paul, who runs Dumbalk Hills Fine Food, told the Herald Sun police had told her to stay inside and lock her doors, adding an incident was unfolding.
She said she was unsure who was involved.
Other locals who live on nearby streets have been turned around, unable to return to their properties.
Dumbalk North had a population of 90, according to the 2021 census.
The farmland area was made up of 45 private dwellings, with 28 families and, at the time, all properties were owner-occupiers.
The median age was 53.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
It’s not the first time Dumbalk North has been the scene of a shooting stand-off.
In November 2010 police negotiated with a 45-year-old man threatening to harm himself for hours before he produced a shotgun.
A member of the Special Operations Group shot him in the leg and he was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
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