Background of the Manhunt
A group of 10 police officers, including local personnel and members of the sexual offences and child abuse investigation team, entered Dezi Freeman’s property in Porepunkah, about 300km north-east of Melbourne, on the morning of August 26. The officers aimed to serve a search warrant when Freeman allegedly opened fire.
Freeman, a 56-year-old man linked to pseudolaw or ‘sovereign citizen’ ideology, killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, while injuring a third officer. He then fled heavily armed into the surrounding bushland, sparking a seven-month manhunt across north-east Victoria.
Police confirm they fatally shot Freeman this morning, bringing the extensive search to an end. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush plans to provide further details shortly.
Community Feels Relief
Scott Brandon, owner of the Bright Brewery near Porepunkah, expressed significant relief among locals. ‘I think it’s a big relief for us to have this chapter resolved,’ Brandon stated. ‘It’s certainly something that’s been weighing on our minds for several months now.’
Brandon noted the initial search operations severely impacted tourism and instilled fear in the community. ‘Since then everything has pretty much returned to normal… but it’s certainly something that still gets discussed from time to time,’ he added. ‘When you’ve got an unresolved event like that where somebody’s clearly still being searched for, it’s going to keep coming up. And so, I think it’s a relief just to have an end to all of that.’
Political and Official Responses
Independent federal MP Helen Haines, whose Indi electorate includes Porepunkah and surrounding areas, issued a statement highlighting the closure. ‘Over the past six months, a dark cloud has hung over the Porepunkah community,’ Haines said. ‘News this morning of the death of Mr Freeman draws this prolonged and devastating incident to a close. This will come as a relief to the whole community – especially to the families of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, and their colleagues. I thank Victoria Police, and all those involved in the search for their determination and service.’
Victorian Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny addressed the situation during a press conference in Melbourne. ‘It is a developing situation,’ she said. ‘The main thing is our thoughts, our concerns and our support are with the Porepunkah community and the families of the two police officers who were killed in that tragic incident nearly six months ago.’
Police Association Statement
Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association Victoria, confirmed the man shot was Dezi Freeman. ‘Our members said they would find him. They did,’ Gatt declared. ‘Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community.’
Gatt emphasized the ongoing trauma but focused on honoring the fallen. ‘It doesn’t lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief,’ he said. Police officers ‘won’t reflect on the loss of a coward’ but will remember ‘the courage and bravery of our fallen members and every officer that has doggedly pursued this outcome for the community.’
‘They have worked tirelessly,’ Gatt continued. ‘Days like today offer a sobering reminder that policing happens while you sleep, when the media spotlight on an investigation dims and when everything seems lost and forgotten.’
