POREPUNKAH, VICTORIA—A large-scale manhunt is underway in rural Australia for a man accused of ambushing and killing two police officers and seriously injuring a third. The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, is heavily armed and considered an expert in wilderness survival, posing a significant challenge to authorities.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday when 10 armed police officers arrived at Freeman’s property in Porepunkah, a small town northeast of Melbourne, to execute a search warrant. According to Victoria’s chief commissioner of police, Mike Bush, the officers were “murdered in cold blood.”
The deceased officers have been identified as a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable. Another detective was shot but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The officers were reportedly members of a unit that investigates sexual offenses and child abuse.
Freeman fled on foot into the surrounding forest, and a massive search effort involving hundreds of police, including tactical units and helicopters, has been launched. A no-fly zone has been established over the area to aid the search and protect personnel.
Local residents have been urged to remain indoors and vigilant. Public buildings and the local school in Porepunkah were locked down for hours on Tuesday. The community, known for its scenic views and vineyards, has been deeply shaken by the tragedy.
The suspect is widely reported to be a follower of the “sovereign citizen” movement, a group that uses debunked legal theories to reject government authority. Court documents from a 2024 case show Freeman had a “history of unpleasant encounters with police officers,” whom he referred to as “Nazis” and “terrorist thugs.”
Commissioner Bush stated it was “too soon to say” if the attack was ideologically motivated but noted that authorities were aware of Freeman’s anti-police sentiments. The incident has drawn comparisons to a similar 2022 tragedy in Queensland where two police officers were killed by Christian extremists who also espoused sovereign citizen beliefs.
The whereabouts of Freeman’s wife and two children were initially unknown, but police have confirmed they have since made contact and are cooperating with the investigation.
