A massive manhunt is underway in Victoria’s northeast after two police officers were shot dead and a third was wounded during a warrant execution in Porepunkah, about 300km from Melbourne.
The suspected gunman has been identified as Dezi Freeman, 56, a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen conspiracy theorist with a history of anti-police rhetoric. Police believe he remains heavily armed and on the run in bushland near his property.
“Murdered in Cold Blood”
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said officers came under immediate fire when they arrived at Freeman’s property on Tuesday morning to execute a warrant relating to historic child sex abuse allegations.
Two officers – a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable – were killed in the attack. A third officer, also a detective, was shot in the leg and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
“They were met by the offender. They were murdered in cold blood,” Commissioner Bush said, describing the attack as over within minutes.
Freeman Fled Into Bushland
Freeman, armed with high-powered weapons, fled on foot into nearby bushland after the shooting. Police believe he had prepared for the confrontation.
“We are still working to locate his partner and two children,” Commissioner Bush said, adding that Freeman was last seen alone when he disappeared into the bush.
“He is obviously a very dangerous person and he needs to be caught. We have deployed every specialist resource into this area to locate him.”
Residents in Porepunkah and surrounding Alpine areas have been ordered to stay indoors, with roadblocks in place and police helicopters circling overhead.
Heavy Police Presence in Alpine Region
Hundreds of police officers, including heavily armed members of the Special Operations Group, have swarmed the Alpine region. Drones and helicopters are assisting in the manhunt, while NSW Police remain on standby across the border in Albury-Wodonga.
Nearby Porepunkah Primary School, less than a kilometre from the property, was placed in lockdown until authorities declared it safe.
Commissioner Bush issued a direct appeal to Freeman:
“My message to that person is give yourself up so the community can be at peace and we can have this matter resolved peacefully.”
Shock and Condolences
The killings have shocked both the local community and law enforcement across the country.
Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas described the incident as a day of “deep sorrow and shock,” extending condolences to the officers’ families, friends, and colleagues.
The Police Federation of Australia called the shooting an act of “senseless violence,” warning of the dangers posed by extremist anti-police ideologies like the sovereign citizen movement.
President Kevin Morton said:
“Any extreme ideology, access to weapons and hatred for police too often plays out in deadly attacks. This tragedy is a reminder of the risks our officers take every day.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, saying:
“The men and women who wear the uniform of the police force take risks each and every day. Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues.”
Situation Ongoing
As the manhunt continues, locals in the Porepunkah region remain on edge, with a strong police presence and aerial surveillance dominating the area.
Authorities say Freeman should be considered “armed and extremely dangerous” and urged the public not to approach him.
The community now mourns the loss of a veteran detective and a young senior constable, two officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
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