Fugitive Dezi Freeman was fatally shot by Victoria Police during a standoff, concluding a manhunt that began after he killed two officers.
Australian police shot and killed fugitive Dezi Freeman during a standoff at a rural property in Victoria on Monday, ending a seven-month manhunt. Freeman, a 56-year-old double-murder suspect, had been on the run since killing two police officers on his property in Porepunkah last August.
Freeman gunned down Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Constable Vadim De Waart during a police search related to an investigation into sex offences. The officers were at the property when the attack occurred, and Freeman fled into nearby bushland, evading extensive searches.
The Standoff and Shooting
Police surrounded a building on a rural property around 5:30 a.m. local time on Monday. After three hours of negotiations, a man believed to be Freeman emerged armed with a gun and was shot dead. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that Freeman did not surrender peacefully despite opportunities to do so.
No officers were injured in the operation, and Bush confirmed that the incident would undergo a standard investigation. He added that Freeman may have been using a weapon taken from one of the slain officers, though formal identification of the body is still underway.
Official Reactions and Next Steps
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described Freeman as an "evil man" whose death brings closure to the tragedy. Police believe Freeman received assistance while on the run and will now investigate anyone who aided him, as it would have been difficult for him to survive without help.
Freeman, whose real name was Desmond Filby, was a self-described "sovereign citizen" with a history of conflicts with authorities. He had publicly rejected government laws and attempted to arrest officials in the past, with his views reportedly intensifying during the Covid-19 pandemic in Victoria.
The Police Association of Victoria noted that while Freeman's death is a step forward, it does not fully erase the trauma for the officers' families and the community. Local MP Helen Haines said the event lifts a dark cloud over Porepunkah, providing some closure for those affected.
