A manhunt is in progress for Peter O'Ryan, 48, who is accused of attacking three people with an axe or hatchet, leaving them critically injured. Victoria Police issued an arrest warrant for O'Ryan following the incident in the Gippsland town of Tyers on Saturday.
Emergency services responded to a property on Cowies Road around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday after reports of an assault. Investigators believe O'Ryan, who is known to the victims, attacked two men and a woman following an argument. The victims are believed to be O'Ryan's parents and brother.
The two male victims, aged 76 and 47, were airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and remain in critical condition. The third victim, a 74-year-old woman, was transported to the hospital with critical injuries and is in stable condition. Detectives are working to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Local police are searching the area around the alleged attack site for O'Ryan, who is believed to have fled on foot. Images of the suspect were released by police on Sunday in hopes the public can help locate him. O'Ryan, who has no fixed address, is known to frequent the Morwell area and has been known to seek shelter in abandoned properties.
Police have warned the public not to approach O'Ryan, as he may still be armed with an axe or hatchet, and to call emergency services if he is sighted. O'Ryan is described as Caucasian, of medium build, with dark grey hair. He was last seen wearing a black and mustard-colored jacket and carrying a black backpack.