A seasoned bushman widely known as “Pistol Pete” remains at large following a horrific axe attack on his family in regional Victoria, with police urging residents not to approach him under any circumstances.
Peter O’Ryan, 48, disappeared after his elderly parents and brother were left with life-threatening axe injuries at Tyers in the Latrobe Valley. All three are now battling for life in intensive care.
Detective Sergeant Rod Findlay said O’Ryan allegedly attacked his brother, Paul, 47, after an argument on Saturday before turning on his parents, Janine, 74, and Keith, 76.
“The injuries are very, very extreme,” he said. “A lot of injuries requiring really serious treatment and they’ve been flown for immediate surgery down to The Alfred hospital.
“I’ve been working in family violence a long time. This is some of the most serious offending I’ve ever seen, without a doubt.”
On Monday, locals revealed O’Ryan, of no fixed address, would easily be able to cope with life on the run in the countryside, and compared him to double cop-killer Dezi Freeman.
‘He knows that bush better than anyone I know,’ one local said.
‘He grew up out there and we used to ride dirt bikes all through that bushland all the way up to Erica,’ a former friend added.
An experienced bushman known as ‘Pistol Pete’ is still on the run after a brutal axe attack on his family in regional Victoria, with police warning locals not to go near him
Keith and Janine O’Ryan (pictured) were allegedly attacked by their son Peter
Detective Sergeant Rod Findlay said O’Ryan allegedly first attacked his brother Paul, 47, (above) after an argument on Saturday and then his parents, Janine, 74, and Keith, 76 (top)
‘He knows his way around the bush and I wouldn’t be surprised if got firearms from parents’ house as well.’
Police believe O’Ryan is armed with at least a tomahawk and anyone spotting him is advised to phone triple zero and not approach him.
‘Sounding like Dezi 2.0,’ one local added.
Anothger added: ‘He will be another Dezi Freeman and go out the same way.’
O’Ryan’s own social media pages are littered with disturbing content, with his first image a selfie captioned: ‘F*** You’.
He urged people to ‘f*** the system’, while another post declared his love of guns.
Many locals have tried to suggest locations O’Ryan may be hiding out at in the region to help lead police to him.
‘Morwell has plenty of hiding places,’ suggested one. ‘Try the twin cinemas in Buckley Street, try the old caravan park on Commercial Rd.
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O’Ryan’s own social media pages are littered with disturbing content
Police believe O’Ryan is armed with at least a tomahawk and anyone spotting him is advised to phone triple zero and not approach him
‘Not many people know of it and you can’t see in from the front but people jump the back fence and think they can just live there, junkies etc.
‘Plenty of old shops around too – police need to get out and search.’
O’Ryan was last seen wearing a black and mustard coloured jacket – visible in one of the images released by investigators – and carrying a black backpack.
He is Caucasian and described as being of medium build with dark grey hair.
Det Sgt Findlay said social media had been abuzz with information since Saturday which had helped investigators.
‘It builds a picture of him … a lifestyle picture,’ he said.
Police conducted a widespread search for O’Ryan, who is believed to have fled the scene on foot.
‘We are working furiously to try and bring him into custody so that we can make sure everyone’s safe and he’s held to account,’ Det Sgt Findlay said.
O’Ryan was last seen wearing a black and mustard coloured jacket – visible in one of the images released by investigators – and carrying a black backpack
Detectives are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, limited by the serious condition of O’Ryan’s alleged victims.
Police appealed directly for O’Ryan to turn himself in, saying it would be in his and the public’s best interests.
‘Give yourself up, come and see us,’ Det Sen Sgt Findlay said.
On Monday, police insisted there was nothing to suggest O’Ryan posed a further threat.
‘Whilst we urge people to be vigilant … there has been no intelligence to suggest that Peter O’Ryan would harm anybody else,’ Detective Inspector Mark Rossiter said.
‘This was an attack on people known to him, family members … early investigations have revealed that it probably resulted after an argument.
‘Our intelligence isn’t suggesting that there are any further threats to the community.’
Anyone who sees O’Ryan can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au