Dumbalk North gunman shot, Gippsland shooting scene declared safe
A man who allegedly fired at police before fleeing on foot into Gippsland farmland on Thursday has been shot, arrested and flown to hospital, with one local describing the scene as like a movie.
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FRIDAY UPDATE: Detectives have sealed off the home of an alleged gunman accused of firing on police as they executed a firearms warrant on Thursday.
Evidence is being collected by the police, with the forensic team arriving to take pictures on Friday morning.
Detectives have also used a drone to fly around the property as part of the investigation.
THURSDAY UPDATE: A man who allegedly fired at police before fleeing on foot into Gippsland farmland on Thursday has been shot, arrested and flown to hospital, with one local describing the scene as like something out of a movie.
More than a dozen members of Victoria Police’s special operations group and the critical incident response team spent hours searching for the man after he allegedly escaped law enforcement at the Dumbalk North property.
The incident unfolded when investigators executed a firearms warrant at a Foster-Mirboo Rd address about 1.30pm.
The 56-year-old man – who police believe is a resident of the Forster Mirboo Rd property – then allegedly fired shots at officers.
Police returned fire but the man managed to flee.
No police officers were physically injured but nearby residents were urged to stay inside and lock their doors.
The man was not captured until just after 5pm, when he was taken to hospital under police guard with non-life threatening injuries.
Armed Crime Squad detectives are now investigating.
Emergency services closed multiple roads in the region throughout the afternoon, including Foster Mirboo, Farmers and Meeniyan-Mirboo North roads, with an officer at one of the roadblocks saying police were taking precautions to keep locals safe.
During the afternoon, two road ambulances were seen travelling down the road with no lights or sirens, and residents 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, while Debra Paul – who runs Dumbalk Hills Fine Food – told the Herald Sun police had told her to stay inside and lock her doors.
She said she was unsure who was involved but that police were “looking after” everyone.
Other locals who lived on nearby streets were turned around, unable to return to their properties.
Dumbalk North has a population of just 90 people, according to the 2021 census.
The farmland area is made up of 45 private dwellings, with 28 families and, in 2021, all properties were owner-occupiers.
The median age was 53.
Bairnsdale woman Rachael Yvon, who frequently visits a close friend in Dumbalk North, said it felt like “a movie”, with police swarming the area.
“This is something that you would never expect to happen, especially not somewhere so remote and peaceful like beautiful South Gippsland,” the 34-year-old said.
She praised police.
“I can’t even imagine what this would have been like for our officers and emergency service workers,” she said.
“What an honourable and brave thing they have done - and like everyday - they have put their lives at risk to keep all of ours’ safe … I’m so thankful for the police’s swift actions.”
A couple, who live in Dumbalk North and asked to remain anonymous, went outside of their home earlier in the afternoon to see what was going on.
“We just heard there was a major incident,” the couple said.
“The amount of cop cars we have seen come through — they were just racing around …
our neighbours rang and said there were about 15 cars down at Milford Rd.”
On scene at Milford Rd, several police vehicles, including a police van and a police rescue car were spread out across the area as investigations continued.
The 56-year-old man was placed in the back of an ambulance and could be heard shouting.
He was later flown to hospital by an air ambulance that took off from a paddock at 6.26pm.
The scene was cleared shortly after 8pm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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