The quiet town of Porepunkah in north-east Victoria has been shaken to its core after a shocking morning shooting left two police officers dead and a third injured.
The alleged gunman, 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, a self-styled “sovereign citizen,” remains at large, sparking one of the largest manhunts in recent memory.
The violence erupted Tuesday morning when ten officers arrived at Freeman’s remote property to serve a warrant over historic sexual assault charges.
Instead of complying, Freeman allegedly armed himself with a homemade shotgun, opening fire in what authorities describe as a “planned and ruthless ambush.”
Lives Lost in a Brutal Attack
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were killed in the attack.
A third officer was wounded but survived the ordeal.
Shockingly, Freeman reportedly seized the fallen officers’ guns and a police radio, using them to track movements of officers pursuing him.
Since then, Freeman has vanished into the alpine wilderness, roughly 300km northeast of Melbourne, leaving authorities scrambling and the local community reeling.
Dramatic Police Raid at Freeman’s Home
Details have emerged about a tense police operation at Freeman’s Porepunkah residence.
Last night, the Fugitive Squad teamed with the Special Operations Group (SOG) to raid the property.
Around 8:40pm, Freeman’s wife Mali and their 15-year-old son were ordered to leave with their hands raised.
Neighbors described the scene as shocking, with armored all-terrain vehicles known as “BearCats” used to communicate with those inside.
Mali and her son were interviewed by police and then released, while the search for Freeman continues.
Massive Manhunt Underway
It’s now the fourth day of an intensive hunt. Helicopters hover overhead, drones scan the dense treelines, and roadblocks stretch for kilometers—but Freeman remains elusive.
Some locals speculate he might have dug secret hideouts or underground bunkers in preparation for evasion.
Police have mobilized a huge contingent, including SOG units and K-9 teams.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, but confirmed sightings of Freeman remain non-existent.
Federal Support Offered by Prime Minister
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged federal support to Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, offering elite AFP officers to assist in capturing Freeman.
“This is a full court press,” Albanese said, emphasizing the danger Freeman poses and the need to restore a sense of safety to the traumatized local community.
Tense Moments on the Ground
Thursday saw more drama on the ground as police deployed stun grenades—also called flash bangs—near Porepunkah, creating loud flashes and disorienting noises.
Sunrise reported seeing officers armed with what appeared to be machine guns during the search, while SOG teams combed outhouses and bushland in a very active morning operation.
Plea From Freeman’s Housemate
Fabio Zambelli, who lived with Freeman’s family at one time, has publicly urged Freeman to surrender for the sake of his wife and children.
Describing Freeman as a “professional, resilient bushman,” Zambelli stressed the high stress on Mali and the children and called on authorities to bring Freeman in alive to better understand the situation.
Freeman’s Disturbing Past Statements
Freeman has a long history of anti-government rhetoric.
In a 2019 podcast, he ominously warned authorities that they had “picked the wrong person to mess with.”
He has previously claimed to have “arrested a magistrate” and boasted about resisting government control, underscoring the dangerous mindset authorities believe they are confronting.
What Comes Next
As the manhunt continues, Victoria Police remain on high alert.
Helicopters, drones, BearCats, and K-9 units are scouring the High Country, determined to locate Freeman and bring him into custody.
Meanwhile, the Porepunkah community struggles to process the tragedy, and the families of the fallen officers continue to mourn.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the police immediately, warning that Freeman should be considered extremely dangerous.
The search is ongoing, and every hour brings both urgency and tension as they attempt to bring this tragic chapter to a safe resolution.
