Manhunt underway after shots fired at police in Melbourne’s east

Heavily-armed police are searching for a gunman who fired at officers on Saturday morning.

A manhunt is underway for a gunman who allegedly fired at police in Melbourne’s east on Saturday morning.

Heavily armed officers spent Saturday combing the area around Boronia in eastern Melbourne after a man fired a weapon at two police officers around 2am.

Police said they were hunting for Brendan Searle, who they described as being armed and dangerous.

Officers were called to the scene after an alleged attempted carjacking.

A manhunt is underway in Melbourne’s east as police search for a gunman. Picture: David Crosling

Police are searching a street in Boronia where a gunman was spotted. Picture: David Crosling

Police searching a street in Boronia where a gunman was spotted. Saturday. Picture: David Crosling.

Mr Searle is alleged to have fled the scene however officers caught up with him nearby at Tulip Crescent where he was involved in a stand-off with police during which shots were fired.

“Mr Searle has turned, pointed the firearm towards the officers and discharged the firearm at those two officers who were then able to take cover,” Victoria Police Detective Inspector Martin Allison said.

Police said that he made his escape by jumping over fences and through backyards.

Specialist police swarmed the area and spent the day scouring the streets, with drivers stopped and checked.

Detectives want to speak to Brendan Searle following a firearms incident in Boronia on Saturday. Picture: Supplied.

Police say that Brendan Searle fired several shots at police following an alleged carjacking. Picture: Supplied.

Police said they believed Mr Searle was still in the area and urged him to hand himself in.

“He has already demonstrated a willingness to carjack innocent people,” Detective Allison said.

“As well as discharge firearms at police … We hold concern for the public that if Mr Searle is not in the custody of police anytime soon, we’re not sure how that will end.

“We want a safe outcome.”

Mr Searle was described as being approximately 183cm tall with a muscular build and shaved head.

Police said that he had distinctive tattoos across the right side of his forehead, face, neck, arms and legs.