source : the age
The public has been urged to not approach a man on the run for more than 24 hours after he allegedly attacked his parents and brother with an axe or hatchet in Gippsland.
Peter O’Ryan, 48, is alleged to have entered his family home on Cowies Road, Tyers, 160 kilometres east of Melbourne, about 12.30pm on Saturday, when an argument began.
O’Ryan is alleged to have first assaulted his brother, then turned on his mother and father, before fleeing from the home on foot.
The father and son, aged 76 and 47, were airlifted to The Alfred hospital with injuries police described as “very, very extreme”.
The 74-year-old woman sustained critical injuries and is now in a stable condition in hospital.
Police said they had conducted a large-scale search of the area but had been unable to find O’Ryan.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rodney Findlay said O’Ryan was believed to have used an axe or tomahawk and was probably still armed.
“The community will notice a lot of police in the Tyers and Morwell area today, you’ll see the helicopter overhead, no doubt,” he said.
“We are working furiously to try and bring him into custody so that we can make sure everyone’s safe and he’s held accountable.”
Findlay said the father and son had required surgery and remained in intensive care in hospital on Sunday afternoon.
“The injuries were very, very extreme, very serious injuries,” he said.
“This is some of the most serious offending I’ve ever seen, without a doubt. It is really, really extreme offending. We don’t see much like it.”
Police officers have knocked on the doors of some neighbouring homes, most of which are set apart on large blocks, warning occupants to keep their doors locked and report any suspicious behaviour.
One neighbour, who asked that his name be withheld for privacy reasons, said the elderly couple had lived on Cowies Road for decades.
The neighbour said he and his wife had left their home for the day to stay safe.
“It’s the first time we’ve locked the door in 20 years,” the man said.
O’Ryan was last seen wearing a black and mustard-coloured jacket and carrying a black backpack. Police have released an image of him wearing the same jumper.
Police say O’Ryan, who is currently of no fixed address, is known to take refuge in abandoned properties or outhouses.
A police spokesperson said he often frequents the area around Morwell and is not known for living in the bush.
While urging O’Ryan to hand himself in, police warned members of the public to call Triple Zero and not approach O’Ryan if they saw him.
“We definitely believe he’s likely to be armed with that axe, and…[we’re asking] that the public is really cautious around any dealings,” Findlay said.
“If they see him, do not approach him. Call Triple Zero straight away and let us know.”
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