The rural town of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, has been shaken by the harrowing events surrounding Dezi Freeman.
For the first time, new footage has revealed the terrifying moments that ended in the deaths of two police officers, exposing the full intensity of the deadly stand-off.
Freeman Barricades Himself Inside Bus With Family
The 56-year-old “sovereign citizen” had barricaded himself inside a bus alongside his wife, Mali, and their two-year-old son.
The siege, which lasted 27 minutes, unfolded on August 26 when ten officers arrived at Freeman’s property to execute a search warrant linked to historical allegations of sexual assault involving a minor.
The confrontation, captured from police body cameras and mobile phones, showed Freeman refusing to cooperate as officers pleaded with him to open the bus door. “We have got a search warrant right here.
Come out and talk to us, Dez, we are not going away,” an officer can be heard saying.
Desperate Pleas From Inside the Bus
From inside, Mali Freeman pleaded with officers not to enter.
“Can you please not barge in? I have a kid, please,” she begged.
Freeman himself shouted accusations at the police, claiming he had autism and PTSD, and demanded a disability liaison officer—though records indicate he had never been formally diagnosed with either condition.
Freeman also challenged the validity of the search warrant and insisted on naming specific officers as witnesses.
His anger escalated when informed the warrant was related to a sexual assault allegation.
“Oh for f*** sake, what bulls***,” he screamed, calling police “psychopaths” and accusing them of terrorizing him for years.
Tensions Mount as Officers Attempt Entry
As officers began to pry the bus door open, Freeman’s tirade intensified.
He accused the police of domestic terrorism and continued to blame individual officers for longstanding grievances.
Inside the bus, Mali and the toddler were positioned near the door, their small hands visible as the officers worked to gain entry.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart attempted to defuse the situation, remaining calm amid Freeman’s escalating threats.
Detective Thompson even forced a window open in an effort to de-escalate the confrontation.
The Deadly Final Moments
Moments later, chaos erupted. Two gunshots rang out from inside the bus, killing Detective Thompson and Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart at point-blank range.
Officers scattered in terror, and Freeman seized weapons from the deceased before fleeing into the rugged alpine bushland.
A third officer was later confirmed seriously injured, though the exact timing remains unclear.
Massive Manhunt Continues
The manhunt has drawn significant resources, with around 450 police officers and the Australian Defence Force searching for Freeman as the operation enters its third week.
Despite a major police operation in Porepunkah, Freeman remains at large.
Victoria Police have announced a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the ongoing hunt.