Manhunt for Dezi Freeman Enters Eighth Day as Police Return to Porepunkah
The manhunt for accused gunman Dezi Freeman has entered its eighth day, with a heavy police presence once again descending on his Porepunkah property in regional Victoria.
Officers, including special operations teams, were seen at the semi-rural property this morning. Armoured bearcats and tactical units were deployed, while a helicopter circled overhead, as authorities continued their search efforts.
The renewed operation comes after Superintendent Brett Kahan said he believed Freeman was receiving outside assistance and urged anyone with information to contact police. Despite extensive searches, there have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman since he fled into the bush on foot last Tuesday.
Deadly Attack on Police
On August 26, a team of 10 officers arrived at Freeman’s property to execute a search warrant related to historic sex offences. The operation quickly turned deadly when Freeman allegedly opened fire.
Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were fatally shot, while a third officer was injured in the attack. Freeman then reportedly escaped into the rugged bushland surrounding his property, sparking one of the largest police manhunts in Victoria in recent memory.
Links to Sovereign Citizen Movement
Authorities believe Freeman has ties to the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement, a loose ideology whose adherents reject government authority and law enforcement. Police fear this may have influenced his violent response to the warrant.
Community on Edge
The ongoing search has left the tight-knit community of Porepunkah shaken. Residents have reported heightened anxiety as roadblocks, patrols, and aerial surveillance continue in the area. Many have expressed both grief for the fallen officers and unease knowing the suspect remains at large.
Police continue to stress that anyone providing support or shelter to Freeman may face serious criminal charges. The investigation remains active, with officers determined to bring the fugitive into custody.
