Dumbalk North gunman packed dirt into gunshot wound to avoid police capture

The man who fired at police before being shot himself packed dirt into his wound before applying a tourniquet as he tried to flee officers.

An armed suspect packed dirt into a wound in makeshift first-aid after being shot by police at an isolated farm property.

The Herald Sun has been told the man put soil on the injury and applied a tourniquet in an attempt to stem bleeding while he kept police at bay.

The drama began shortly after detectives from the illicit firearms squad arrived at a farmhouse in the South Gippsland town of Dumbalk North.

They made it up the driveway without incident but someone inside the home fired more than five shots after becoming aware of their presence.

Police sealed off the home as they continued investigations on Friday. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Detectives used a drone to fly around the property as part of their investigation. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Those officers returned fire, wounding the 56-year-old.

He then left the house as the IFS detectives called in reinforcements.

A standoff dragged on for hours as special operations group and critical incident response team officers made their way through the property, at times taking cover behind vehicles and farm structures.

Forensics police collect evidence at Dumbulk North after a man allegedly opened fire on officers on Thursday October 25, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono

They were eventually able to get a clear shot at the man, who took a bullet in the shoulder and was restrained soon after in a small gully near the house.

Investigators were still at the scene 24-hours later, as part of their inquiry into the circumstances of the shooting.

The incident is not regarded as being a premeditated ambush.

Forensics police were seen taking bags of evidence from the Dumbulk North property. Picture: Jack Colantuono

On Friday, investigators remained at the scene, having sealed off the home on Foster Mirboo Rd.

The forensics team was completing a full search around the property, including using a forensics scanner on a tripod and a drone.

A local locksmith company was also called to the home.

Neighbours said they believed the man at the property lived alone but he was a private person and they didn’t know him personally.

No charges had been laid by Friday evening.

Originally published as Dumbalk North gunman packed dirt into gunshot wound to avoid police capture